The eight University Grants Committee funded institutions will enhance their support to elite athletes from the 2008-09 academic year, Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing says.

Speaking after his meeting with representatives of the eight institutions this morning, Mr Tsang said the move will allow the athletes to undertake sports training while at university and encourage them to pursue higher education.

The institutions will allow athletes who have been selected for admission to defer the start of studies, grant them leave as necessary to enable them to continue sports training and competition, and permit them to extend their period of study.

The institutions will give recognition to nominations from the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee and the Hong Kong Sports Institute of elite athletes for consideration of admission to these institutions, possibly under a system similar to the Sub-system for School Principals' Nominations of the Joint University Programmes Admissions System.

"I believe the concerted efforts by the institutions will encourage more young people with athletic potential to take up a career in sports, which will help create a stronger sporting culture in Hong Kong," Mr Tsang said.

"The united pledge from all our universities is another milestone in this Olympic year to mark the pursuit of excellence in sports and sportsmanship."