The Hong Kong Football Association has shown a willingness to cooperate with the Government to implement a consultant's recommendations to initiate reforms to enhance the association's governance, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Raymond Young says.

Speaking on radio talk shows today, Mr Young said he was pleased to know the association welcomes the football consultancy study and agrees there is room for improvement in soccer promotion and development.

The Government will set up a soccer task force with participation by government departments, the association, experts and other parties who will supervise the recommendations' implementation.

Expressing his confidence in launching reforms to enhance the association's governance, Mr Young said the Government will allocate new resources to the group on the condition that it formulates structural reform proposals and development directions.

The association should also clearly explain how it uses the money and the Government will monitor the situation.

On the suggestion of establishing a new professional soccer league, he said the task force will study the issue.

Noting the Government will formulate policies and provide facilities to support the proposal, the permanent secretary said it is not appropriate for the Government to inject money into the league directly because it should be a commercial operation.

The Government will also help find commercial sponsorship for the sport, he said, adding other organisations are welcome to provide funding support.

Po Leung Kuk, for example, has recently announced the establishment of a football development fund. It will also allocate its facility in Pak Tam Chung for football training.