Hong Kong eager for more sporting success

Following this success, in August, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced five new measures to further boost sports in the city.

The measures include a HK$990 million ($128.60 million) fund for the HKSI to build a new training facility, which is expected to open in 2024, and an allocation of HK$150 million, together with another HK$150 million from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, to set up a HK$300 million fund for research and medical support for sports and to buy new equipment for elite athletes.

Wong said he hoped the government could also pay more attention to the center and bottom layers of the pyramid, adding, "The allocation of resources is clearly skewed toward the HKSI."

He said the HKSI may deserve more investment, as it is responsible for training and looking after Hong Kong's elite athletes, but other sports organizations also need more financial and facility support to promote local sports development.

"The key to Hong Kong athletes improving their skills and winning more medals in top competitions is to offer them the chance to take part in more international or regional events. This principle applies in particular to elite athletes such as Haughey and also to young trainees at the center of the pyramid," Wong said.

The swimming association or other organizations could take trainees to compete on the Chinese mainland or overseas, but only if the government can provide sufficient financial support, Wong added.