The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, this afternoon (May 11) visited the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) to learn more about the athletes' preparation for the Tokyo Olympics. She extended her best wishes to them and said she believed that the athletes will achieve even better results with the support of members of the public.
Accompanied by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Caspar Tsui; the Commissioner for Sports, Mr Yeung Tak-keung; the Vice-President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr Kenneth Fok, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the HKSI, Dr Lam Tai-fai, Mrs Lam visited the coaches and athletes of the Hong Kong fencing team and badminton team respectively to learn more about their training and give them encouragement. She commended the remarkable performance of the Hong Kong athletes in international competitions in recent years, achieving the best results in history in the Asian Games 2018 and winning numerous awards in various top-notch international competitions. A number of athletes are ranking among the top in the world, making members of the public proud. Mrs Lam noted that the athletes are gearing up at full steam for the Tokyo Olympics at present and have been qualified for 27 events so far and are expected to be qualified for over 30 events eventually. She expressed the hope that they can have outstanding performance at the games and bring glory to Hong Kong.
During the visit, Mrs Lam also received a briefing on the progress of the construction of the new facilities building of the HKSI. The new facilities building is expected to be four-storey high, which will provide athletes with world-class training and support facilities and enhance support services in the area of physical fitness, sports science, sports medicine and more. With funding approved by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council in July last year, pre-construction works will commence and the building is expected to be completed in 2026.
"The Government is committed to promoting sports for all, supporting elite sports and promoting Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events. We will continue to implement the Kai Tak Sports Park project and build more sports facilities, substantially increase the subvention for the Sports Federation & Olympic Federation of Hong Kong, China and 60 national sports associations to more than $500 million a year, and take forward the Five-year Development Programme for Team Sports and the development of disability sports. These measures will help better promote sports and nurture young athletes. In addition, we will give our full support to our athletes in their preparation and participation in the Tokyo Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, as well as assist the HKSI in the construction of its new facilities building to equip athletes with advanced training and support facilities," Mrs Lam said.
"The Government announced this morning that it has, for the first time, bought the TV broadcasting rights of the Tokyo Olympics and five Hong Kong licensed television stations will broadcast the games in accordance with government requirements, allowing all Hong Kong people to watch the games for free, particularly the events participated by Hong Kong athletes. I am pleased to note that it is well received by the sports sector which considered that it is conducive to the long-term sports development in Hong Kong," she said.
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