Hong Kong's eight most exclusive private sports and recreation clubs are not as exclusive as they might seem. All are required by their land leases to allow schools and youth organisations to use their facilities - if the government asks them to.
It means that the city's youngsters can in theory enjoy the surroundings of institutions such as the Hong Kong Golf Club in Deep Water Bay - where the city's richest man, Li Ka-shing, plays golf - the Hong Kong Country Club, Hong Kong Football Club and Craigengower Cricket Club.
But, in the decades that these requirements have existed, no government department has ever made any such request and organisations that might have taken advantage of the rule say it is news to them.
The clause was applied to the properties of the eight clubs - which also include the Chinese Recreation Club, Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club, Kowloon Cricket Club and Hong Kong Cricket Club - because they paid nothing or a nominal amount for the prime sites on which their facilities sit.
'Is it real?' asked seasoned social worker Sze Lai-shan, who said she had never thought about booking private clubs for the underprivileged children's groups she organises.
'Aren't these clubs only open for members? Will they really let us in? Do we have to pay? If it is free, it will be an option for us when planning activities for the children.'
Officials of departments that should be helping such groups to pry open the clubs' exclusive gates seem just as confused, as are the clubs.
