Paris Olympics prize money on table for Hong Kong badminton squad, officials put up HK$6 million in incentives
- Athletes can win HK$1.25 million for gold in singles event, with success in doubles earning pair HK$1.875 million
- Prize pot will also be applied to future Asian Games, National Games and World Championships
Hong Kong badminton chiefs have created a HK$6 million (US$768,000) prize fund to motivate players to fight for medals at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Players winning gold in the individual events at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena will take home HK$1.25 million, while success in the doubles will earn athletes a share of HK$1.875 million.
The city’s Games delegation is expected to include six badminton players, the most since seven athletes reached the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Among those making the trip to France will be mixed-doubles pair Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet, who managed a historic fourth-place finish in Tokyo, losing to Japanese arch-rivals Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino 21-17, 23-21 in the bronze-medal match.
“I don’t have to worry any more after securing qualification, and it proved our hard work over the past year wasn’t wasted,” said Tang, who will be attending his second Games.
Tse, who will become the first Hongkonger to take part in four Olympics in badminton, said the opportunity to walk away with a hefty cash bonus would give players even more motivation on the court.
