appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Ian Brownlee

The government has started public consultation on Hong Kong’s first five-year plan. The accompanying consultation document sets out principles which will be applied and includes a section on “Integrated Development of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Green Living and Other Areas”.
The city’s five-year plan will be aligned with the national 15th five-year blueprint and provide a medium-term vision for planning and implementation. Elements included in the plan are likely to have a strong chance of being implemented, so what should be included regarding sport in Hong Kong?
Two factors make planning for sport a challenge. One is the change taking place in Hong Kong’s population profile, with more young and middle-aged people caring about their health and getting involved in sports. Greater longevity can also mean more active older people taking part in sport well into their later years.
The second point is the changing nature of sport. New sports are constantly being invented, and some such as climbing and breaking have been added to the Olympics. Other events such as esports are being promoted by commercial interests and spread worldwide. This trend is likely to continue over the next five years.
The consultation document has several objectives for sport in Hong Kong. It includes directives to “promote community sports and fitness for all, encourage public participation in more recreation and sports activities and cultivate a strong sporting culture to help members of the public enhance their physical and psychological well-being”.
Being involved in club and team activities can bring tremendous health and social benefits. Often, people just need a place to engage in activities, and sometimes these places are not venues primarily designed for the sport. The Happy Valley Racecourse being a popular running track is just one example.


A pressing problem Hong Kong has is the lack of enough indoor and outdoor spaces dedicated to sport. The current planning standards for space and facilities are outdated and do not seem receptive to change. For example, plans for the Northern Metropolis do not include clear mention of a sports facility similar to the space at Happy Valley.
The city’s five-year plan needs to address this. Hong Kong needs more capacity for sport, and that capacity needs to be flexible.
Another directive in the consultation document is to “support the development of elite sports and optimise the athlete support system”. Hong Kong can rightly be proud of the achievements of its elite athletes, but the support system requires adequate facilities for both the elite and those athletes who do not yet meet the criteria to access the Sports Institute.


Making this happen will require measures to encourage national sports associations to develop their own facilities. One way to help achieve this is to provide these associations with longer land tenure from the government, such as the seven to 21 years being offered in the Northern Metropolis. This would help associations make greater investments in their own facilities.
The government is promoting sport as an industry with important economic benefits, with the Kai Tak Sports Park leading the way in establishing Hong Kong’s international presence and boosting the mega-event economy. While mega-events are beneficial to the city, major events that the average athlete can take part in are even more important. International age group competitions bring in tourists who compete against locals and stay for several days after the event.
Existing events are already regularly oversubscribed soon after entries open. The Hong Kong marathon is probably the best example, with more than 70,000 people taking part in various races but thousands more being left out.

The announcement of Hong Kong hosting the first race of the next SailGP season and the impending arrival of several world championship events next year all confirm the city has the reputation to produce top-quality events. Better facilities will help create better events for international visitors and the local community.
Sport is an important force for Hong Kong’s integration with the rest of the Greater Bay Area. A working group has been promoting the region as a potential host for the 2036 Summer Olympics. There will be an opportunity for greater promotion in December when representatives from all 206 national Olympic committees gather in Hong Kong for a general assembly.
Beginning in March next year, potential 2036 hosts must provide credible plans and financial guarantees, with the International Olympic Committee expected to select a winner in 2029. If Hong Kong is to be put forward as a credible host, the Olympics must be part of the city’s five-year plan so focused action can be initiated.


Creatine for women: benefits for strength, brain health and hormones – without the bulk

Hong Kong’s young balance bike stars face early retirement due to lack of space

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend, August 21-23

Hong Kong’s sports sector helped generate extra HK$46b in value in 2024

Hong Kong sports

How Hong Kong’s five-year plan could get ball rolling on Olympic bid

Hong Kong triathletes (from left) Jason Ng Tai-long, Bailee Brown and Hilda Choi Yan-yin train at the Hong Kong Sports Institute on August 21, 2023. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Runners taking part in a Hong Kong marathon event pass through the Western Harbour Crossing on January 18. Photo: Karma Lo

Typhoon closure forces spectators to miss out on Hong Kong fencers at world championships

Hong Kong’s Cedric Ho Wai-hang (right) lost to world No 5 Gergely Siklosi of Hungary in the men's épée on Sunday morning. Photo: Fencing Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong’s Cedric Ho hopes to perform better at the Asian Games. Photo: FAHKC

Sabre fencer Summer Jane Sit again faltered in the round of 32.  Photo: FAHKC

Anson Ng upset world No 12 David Nagy before losing to Switzerland’s Lucas Malcotti. Photo: FAHKC

Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis to get separate fencing hall, pool complex

An aerial view of the Kwu Tung area. Photo: Eugene Lee

Fencing champion Cheung Ka-long. Sports experts say the planned fencing hall in the Northern Metropolis should have integrated support services, including those for training recovery. Photo: Elson Li

Lack of sports facilities keeps Hong Kong from going for more gold

Illustration: Craig Stephens

A runner trains for the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge earlier this year. The growth in trail-running events in Hong Kong is remarkable, thanks to the opportunities provided by our magnificent country parks. Photo: Handout

Opinion

Hong Kong Opinion

News

Hong Kong

Society

To achieve the plan’s proposed sport-related objectives, focused action in areas such as facilities development and talent cultivation is needed


To achieve the plan’s proposed sport-related objectives, focused action in areas such as facilities development and talent cultivation is needed.


Olympics

Hong Kong society

Greater Bay Area

China

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


How Hong Kong’s five-year plan could get ball rolling on Olympic bid

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}To achieve the plan’s proposed sport-related objectives, focused action in areas such as facilities development and talent cultivation is needed

To achieve the plan’s proposed sport-related objectives, focused action in areas such as facilities development and talent cultivation is needed