Caspar Tsui inspects sports institute

September 26, 2020

Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui today visited the Hong Kong Sports Institute to inspect its operation after its closed-door training camp arrangement was lifted.

 

Mr Tsui toured the sports complex, fitness training centre, sports science centre and sports residence to learn about the training arrangements under the anti-epidemic measures adopted by the institute.

 

The institute had implemented the closed-door training camp arrangement since July 29 because of the epidemic. It has been reopened gradually since September 18 to allow full-time athletes of Tier A sports to return for training.

 

With safeguarding the health of athletes as the top concern, the institute has made flexible arrangements to adjust training programmes and competition plans to help them prepare intensively for international competitions, in particular qualifying for the Olympic and Paralympic events to be held in Tokyo next year, and achieving outstanding results.

 

Mr Tsui spoke to athletes and coaches, encouraging them to dedicate themselves to training while paying attention to anti-epidemic measures and their health.

 

Noting that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics as well as other world championships are postponed due to the epidemic, Mr Tsui said elite athletes must not only adapt to new competition schedules and arrangements, but also make unrelenting efforts in keeping in the best shape for their sport.

 

He said the Government understands the enormous challenges and pressure faced by the athletes, adding it will stand with them and provide more support to the institute.

 

Mr Tsui believed that elite athletes, much admired by the public, shall continue to pursue excellence.

 

He also visited the site for the institute's new facilities building within the campus and was briefed by the management on the construction plan.

 

The new building will provide world-class training venues as well as various sports science and sports medicine facilities. The pre-construction works will commence soon and the construction of the building is expected to be completed in 2025.

 

The Home Affairs Bureau has been funding the institute’s operation through the Elite Athletes Development Fund to provide elite sports training and comprehensive support services to local athletes.

 

There are currently 1,300 athletes in the institute, with 33 elite sports and eight elite disability sports.

 

The Government this year provided funding of more than $700 million through the Elite Athletes Development Fund to the institute.

 

Following an injection of $250 million into the Hong Kong Athletes Fund approved by the Legislative Council Finance Committee in July, the bureau has implemented enhanced measures to support athletes' dual career development and retirement support, including more scholarships and retirement cash incentives.

 

The enhanced measures have benefited a first batch of 35 athletes.

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