Stricter rules on funding for Hong Kong sports events planned, as Messi fallout continues
Hong Kong spent HK$624.4 million backing various events over the past three years, with tennis and athletics receiving most support
Criteria surrounding global relevance, minimum ticket sales and impact have all been under the spotlight as part of a review into the superstar’s failure to play in an exhibition game in the city, which was started by former sports minister Kelvin Yeung Yun-hung, and changes could be implemented before the end of the year.
With the Major Sports Events Committee dolling out HK$624.4 million of public money over the past three financial years, officials were also considering introducing a sliding scale of support, rather than paying out as much as HK$17 million at a time to organisers.
“There will be different conditions, say the number of minimum spectators, 80 per cent of the seats must be filled for exhibition matches,” a government source said. “There must be elements of mega-events, too, and that applies to all applications.
“Grants of different amounts could also be dished out but that’s subject to further considerations, we’re still exploring the various [possible] tiers.”
The committee currently has a matching fund of up to HK$15 million for major sports events, with additional grants of HK$1 million for venues and marketing also available.