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Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing has pledged to allocate more resources to implement a consultant's recommendations to promote the development of soccer in Hong Kong.
Releasing the Football Consultancy Study today, Mr Tsang said the Government accepts in principle the consultant's key recommendations, which found Hong Kong has a lot of potential in soccer development.
"The Government will refine our policies to adopt further measures to support the further development of football in Hong Kong. We will increase resources to tie in with the implementation of the recommendations. We hope there will be support both from the business sector and the community," he said.
The study report put forward 49 recommendations to improve the governance of the sport, elevate the standards of professional and "national" football teams, enhance youth training, upgrade the provision of facilities and establish a football training centre.
Management reforms
The consultant recommended the Hong Kong Football Association initiate reforms to enhance its governance by designing and establishing a new governance structure, providing clear responsibilities for its office bearers, and recruiting senior staff to improve its management and marketing operations.
It suggested the association engage an outside party as a "change agent" and recruit experienced personnel to formulate and implement its long-term strategies and development plans.
To attract more spectators, the association is advised to establish a new professional soccer league and set appropriate criteria for member clubs, such as providing education programmes for young players.
The association should also appoint full-time managers and coaches for representative teams on terms that will attract experienced personnel, and should organise more international matches for them at various levels.
Pitch strategy
On the recommendation to draw up a strategy to increase the availability and quality of soccer pitches, Mr Tsang said the Leisure & Cultural Services Department will strive to triple the number of artificial-turf pitches in the next five years.
The Government has already designated "home" pitches for the 10 first-division teams in the current season.
Noting the association and the Jockey Club are discussing the development of a soccer training centre in Tseung Kwan O, Mr Tsang said he hopes the facility can start operation in 2012 to train elite players.
The Government will consider providing funding to help the association start implementing the study recommendations. It is expected the association will in time be able to derive income from sponsorship, gate receipts and other sources to help it achieve steady development in its management and financial position.
The Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs will chair a soccer task force with participation by the department, the association, experts and other parties who will supervise the implementation of the recommendations.
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