National Games: Hong Kong tennis chiefs hope golden November will boost sport’s elite status

Local tennis officials are banking on a gold medal at the National Games in November to strengthen the sport’s claim to keep its elite status at the Hong Kong Sports Institute.

The tennis events will be contested at the Hengqin International Tennis Centre in Zhuhai, with medals up for grabs in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

Previously, a sport needed to have been represented in three of the past four or the next two Olympics or Asian Games to qualify for elite funding from the institute.

However, in March, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui revealed the previous criteria for gaining Tier A standing had been reviewed, and the “good recent performances” in tennis had saved the sport from funding cuts.

“Securing a gold medal at the National Games will bring us a step closer to reaffirming our elite status from HKSI and demonstrate that Hong Kong elite performance tennis is making steady progress on the national and international stage,” Steven Host, the Hong Kong head coach, said.

But the city will face stiff competition from some of the world’s best players.