The Football Task Force, chaired by Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Raymond Young, is studying how to take forward recommendations in the consultancy report on soccer development.

Holding its first meeting today, the task force noted the Hong Kong Football Association has received proposals from applicants to act as its "change agent" and will soon convene a panel with task force representatives to select a candidate to help with its restructuring.

Mr Young said in launching the recruitment of a change agent the association has taken a key first step towards its restructuring, as recommended in the consultancy report. It will implement measures to ensure the selection process is fair and impartial.

On the Leisure & Cultural Services Department's artificial pitch development programme, he said its implementation will also help take forward the report's recommendations, particularly on junior team development and a long-term venue strategy formulation.

Under the programme, 18 new or converted artificial pitches will open within the next few years, thereby increasing the number of user sessions on such pitches from fewer than 2,000 to nearly 5,000 per month.

Both the Government and the association agreed it is appropriate for the Jockey Club to build and take the lead in the management of the proposed Football Training Centre in Tseung Kwan O, which will be the leading training venue for local representative teams at all levels.