Hong Kong perfect for hosting a leg of track cycling World Cup: top official
HKCA chairman says city is ideal in location, prominence and facilities, but millions must be raised to make it happen
Hong Kong could host one leg of the 2016 track cycling World Cup, but the city must raise more than HK$5 million to make the dream a reality.
The world governing body of the sport, the International Cycling Union, was keen to see top- class events being staged in Hong Kong due to the city's promotional value, said Leung Hung-tak, chairman of the Hong Kong Cycling Association.
"We have been repeatedly approached by the world body to see if we are interested in staging the track World Cup," said Leung.
The UCI wants to promote the sport in Asia and Hong Kong is the obvious choice. We want to make it happen in 2016, but we must solve the financial side of it first
"Hong Kong is an ideal location for major international sporting events, especially for track cycling as we now have a top-class velodrome in Tseung Kwan O.
"The UCI wants to promote the sport in Asia and Hong Kong is the obvious choice. We want to make it happen in 2016, but we must solve the financial side of it first as we are talking about big money."
Leung said he had already approached a number of potential sponsors, but he said it would be too early to confirm their commitment.
"It is not easy to secure financial support under the current economic climate and we must be very cautious before we can promise the world body anything," he said.
