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The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and Hang Seng Bank will again join hands to give out HK$1.86 million in cash awards under the Hang Seng Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (Scheme) to Hong Kong medallists from the London 2012 Paralympic Games (PG).

The awards will be presented at a ceremony to be held on 26 September. This latest presentation follows on the announcement of cash incentives to be awarded to local athletes who put in top performances at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Hong Kong sent a delegation of 28 athletes to participate in seven sports at this year’s PG. Twelve local athletes won a total of 3 gold, 3 silver and 6 bronze medals in athletics, swimming, table tennis and wheelchair fencing.

Chairman of the HKSI Mr Carlson Tong JP said, “I must pay tribute to all of the elite athletes with disabilities for their excellent results in the PG. They have yet again brought honour to Hong Kong and significantly contributed to Hong Kong’s reputation as a centre of sporting excellence.   A very big congratulations is due to the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, and the Hong Kong Sports Association for the Mentally Handicapped who give athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities the opportunity to develop into elite world class athletes. I must also express my sincere gratitude to the Government without whose ongoing support these results would not be possible.”

Initiated by the HKSI in 1994, the Scheme has been sponsored by Hang Seng since 1996. The Scheme provides cash incentives to Hong Kong athletes who achieve outstanding performances at the Olympic Games, the PG and the National Games. The Scheme was expanded in 2005 to include medallists at the East Asian Games and, in 2010, medallists at the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games, to further support the development of local sport. Including these latest incentives, the Scheme has given out over HK$30 million to top-performing Hong Kong athletes.