In celebration of the remarkable success achieved by the Hong Kong, China team at the Hangzhou Asian Games, which brought home a record-breaking 53 medals, The Hong Kong Jockey Club staged the Hong Kong China’s Asian Games Medallists Celebration Raceday today (22 October) at Sha Tin Racecourse. The raceday featured a cheque presentation ceremony for the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (“JCAIAS”), through which the Club granted a total of HK$32.5 million in cash incentives to the medallists.
Guests in attendance included over 80 Hangzhou Asian Games medallists from 18 sports disciplines, Government officials and national sports associations’ representatives, who shared the joy of witnessing local athletes’ dreams come true.
The Honourable Chan Kwok-ki, the Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), officiated at the event. He once again congratulated the Hong Kong, China team on their outstanding performance at the Hangzhou Asian Games, saying they had made all Hong Kong citizens very proud. The city’s largest-ever team sent to the Asian Games, together with the record-breaking medal tally, fully reflects the effectiveness of the sports policies implemented by the Hong Kong Government in support of athletic excellence. Mr Chan stressed that the Hong Kong Government will continue to work closely with the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, the Hong Kong Sports Institute and The Hong Kong Jockey Club to help elite athletes achieve greater success in the upcoming regional and international competitions.
Michael Lee, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, extended his sincere congratulations to the medallists, saying the unwavering commitment and “can-do” spirit displayed by athletes during the Hangzhou Asian Games was deeply touching and inspiring, bringing considerable positive energy to Hong Kong. The Club is rewarding athletes who performed exceptionally well at the Games through the JCAIAS, “Looking forward, the Club remains committed to working hand in hand with the HKSAR Government and society to help Hong Kong, China athletes thrive in the global sporting arena. It will also continue to foster a culture of sports participation for all, in alignment with the Club’s purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of society.” he added.
Sixteen athletes from the fencing team won nine medals and received cash incentives of HK$4.5 million. Fencer Cheung Ka-long, who won a historic first Asian Games gold medal in fencing, expressed his joy, saying, “I am delighted to win the medals and receive the cash incentives together with my teammates. This overwhelming joy is truly indescribable. We are grateful for the support of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, which provides great encouragement for athletes.”
Five athletes from the rowing team were presented with cash incentives of HK$3.25 million in total. Rowers Lam San-tung and Wong Wai-chun, who won the gold medal in the men’s pair event, said: “We have worked extremely hard to prepare for the Asian Games. Bringing home the first gold medal at this Asian Games is incredibly exciting. Our effort has paid off and we hope to keep bringing honour to Hong Kong.”
The JCAIAS provides cash incentives to recognise athletes who earn distinction for Hong Kong by winning gold, silver or bronze medals in top-level competitions. The scheme covers seven major sporting events: the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Asian Para Games, National Games, National Para Games and FISU World University Games. Cash incentives will also be awarded to athletes finishing in fourth to eighth places in the Olympics and Paralympics in recognition of their achievements.
At the Hangzhou Asian Games the Club provided technical support for the equestrian events in six functional areas. It also fully supported the Hong Kong, China Equestrian Team, all of whom are members of the HKJC Equestrian Team.
Over the years, the Club has promoted sports at both the community and elite levels through numerous initiatives, enabling people of all ages and abilities to enjoy sports. Funded jointly by the Club and the Government, the Hong Kong Sports Institute, (then called the Jubilee Sports Centre) opened in 1982. In 1992, the Club’s Charities Trust provided an endowment of HK$200 million to establish a trust fund, now called the Hong Kong Jockey Club Elite Athletes Fund. In 2021, the Club pledged HK$150 million in funding to match the HKSAR Government’s HK$150 million grant for the Sports Science and Research Funding Scheme.
Attachment: Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme – Hangzhou Asian Games medallists list
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2022/23, the Club returned a total of HK$35.9 billion to the community. This included HK$28.6 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$7.3 billion in approved charity donations. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world’s top ten charity donors.
