Is Hong Kong overpaying for Olympic and Asian Games glory? That’s a secret, say city’s sport chiefs
- Review of Asian Games will not be released, with CEO of government-funded sports institute saying it’s too technical for public
- Hong Kong earned its best medal tally in Hangzhou, but some sports fell short and performance criteria are largely unchanged since 2005
A review of Hong Kong’s performance at the Asian Games is nearing completion, but the taxpayer-financed body overseeing funding and support of the city’s athletes said it would withhold the findings from the public.
The process held by the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI), the city’s elite sports training centre, is taking place behind closed doors, with outgoing chief executive Trisha Leahy telling the Post the extensive report would be too “technical” for the average person.
Hong Kong delivered its best Asiad performance at this year’s Games in Hangzhou, claiming eight gold, 16 silver and 29 bronze medals, but with its largest ever delegation and budget, opening a debate about how to measure success and offer accountability.
Some HK$730 million of public money has been sunk into the institute in 2022-23, via the government’s Elite Athletes Development Fund (EADF), to nurture athletes and provide them with financial support, facilities and expertise.
Hong Kong’s leader John Lee Ka-chiu vowed in his autumn Policy Address to continue allocating more resources to elite sports.
