The Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau said it has received the review report and code of governance submitted by the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), and agrees with the recommendations and directions set out therein.

To further enhance the corporate governance and operational transparency of national sports associations (NSAs), the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has engaged the SF&OC to conduct a comprehensive review on the NSAs’ corporate governance and operations, and formulate a set of code of governance for compliance by all NSAs.

The review report and the code of governance provide useful recommendations to the NSAs on various aspects of good governance, including the composition and turnover of the governing team, procedures and records on important decisions, review and handling of conflicts of interest, transparency of system, integrity management, selection of athletes, management of coaches and umpires, and administration of membership. NSAs are given two years to make adjustments and improve governance.

The review report and the code of governance have responded to the call by the Government and met public expectations, the bureau commented.

At a briefing held by the SF&OC today for the NSAs on the review report and the code of governance, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung said: “The sports sector should have a stable, clear and credible governance system. This review sets an important direction in areas on which the NSAs should further improve; the SF&OC has also formulated a detailed and systematic code of governance.”

Meeting reporters after the briefing, he added: “I think it is a very important step forward for the further enhancement of our whole sports development in the future. We are positive and we will work with the SF&OC and all the NSAs to make sure that we are all going towards the right direction.”

Mr Yeung also expressed hope that the NSAs would collaborate and have useful exchanges with the SF&OC in taking forward the recommended measures in the coming two years, so that Hong Kong athletes can realise their potential in a fair and professional environment, whilst the city’s sports sector can continue its sustainable development under a solid foundation.