Hong Kong athletes told to go take on world, as new HK$1 billion training venue opens
New ‘world-class’ Facilities Building includes new karate, table tennis and fitness centres, with officials targeting global glory
The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) unveiled its new billion-dollar training and sports science building on Wednesday, a facility that officials said should enable the city to produce more world champions.
Tony Choi Yuk-kwan, chief executive of the HKSI, said the “just less than” HK$1 billion cost of the building came on top of the HK$940 million annual subvention the institute receives every year.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu praised the “world-class” facility at its unveiling, and Choi said the city’s athletes should now focus on being the best of the best.
“If I ask you how much money I can give you to get me a gold medal, I don’t think anyone can answer that question,” Choi said. “But if the athletes can receive really world-class facilities, coaching and all the other support, we can compete with the world.
“Our aim is to compete with the world, and now, the Hong Kong people’s vision is not to be the best in Hong Kong, we are talking about the Asian and world champion standard.
“And to compete at this standard, we need the best, the best standard of coaching and we need the hardware. Now we have a new facility building for sports medicine and sports science. It is a very good time for the athletes.”
