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In appreciation of the brilliant performance of the Hong Kong delegation at the 17^th Asian Games (AG), the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and Hang Seng Bank jointly presented HK$9.5 million in cash incentive awards to local medallists as part of the Hang Seng Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (Scheme) presentation ceremony held today.

The cash awards were presented to 87 local medal winners from 16 different sports, boosting the total amount given to outstanding athletes under the Scheme to over HK$42 million.

Officiating guests at the ceremony included Mr Tsang Tak-sing GBS JP, Secretary for Home Affairs; Mr Timothy Fok GBS JP, President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC); Mr Carlson Tong SBS JP, Chairman of the HKSI; and Mr Nixon Chan, Executive Director and Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management of Hang Seng Bank.

Mr Tong was extremely proud of the achievements of Hong Kong athletes at the Incheon AG.  “It is a real accomplishment for the team to return home with a record 42 medals, pushing Hong Kong into the top ten on the total medal table for the first time ever.  With a historic first time gold in both gymnastics and rowing, the athletes demonstrated their growing strength on the international stage.  I am particularly excited to see many young athletes stepping up and bringing home a medal this year, which proves we are on the right track to identify and nurture our sports talent.”  He continued, “I sincerely thank the HKSAR Government, SF&OC, National Sports Associations and Hang Seng Bank in collaborating in making all these remarkable achievement happen.”

Mr Chan said, “Our Hong Kong athletes, including our up-and-coming stars, shone at this year's AG, demonstrating their determination for sporting excellence.  The remarkable achievements by this next generation of athletes should help motivate them to reach their full potential.  Lee Ho-ching and Ng Wing-nam, who won bronze medals in women’s doubles table tennis and who also trained and honed their skills at the Hang Seng Table Tennis Academy, are just one example of the rising athletic talent we have here in Hong Kong.  I am confident that our all athletes will continue to strive for new heights of sporting achievement and bring further pride to Hong Kong. ”

Cyclist Lee Wai-sze, who is the first Hong Kong athlete winning two gold medals at the same AG, received the highest cash incentive award of HK$800,000.  She expressed her gratitude for the continuous support from the HKSI and Hang Seng Bank, adding, “I am very happy to have won two gold medals at the AG and be recognised by the Scheme.  I would like to thank my coaches, teammates and family for their encouragement and support over the years.  I will continue to stay focused, with an eye on the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016.”

Having grabbed Hong Kong’s first-ever gold at AG for gymnastics, Shek Wai-hung said, “It was really like a dream when I won the gold medal.  It took me an entire night to realise it was all real.  These awards are undoubtedly a driving force to the athletes and they motivate us to pursue even higher goals.” 

Lok Kwan-hoi, who also made a history by capturing Hong Kong’s first AG gold medal for rowing, noted, “I am really happy to be the first Hong Kong rower to win a gold title at the AG.  I hope that my success will inspire young people to chase their own dreams and, most importantly, introduce rowing to more people in Hong Kong.”

Tenpin bowler Wu Siu-hong obtained a long-awaited silver medal in the men’s masters event at his fourth AG.  “I had been waiting for 12 years and had gone through many hard times until I got there to win an AG medal in an individual event.  Throughout the past Games there were disappointments but now I have proven that my persistence is worthwhile.” Wu said.

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 Paralympic Games and the National Games.  The Scheme was expanded in 2005 to include medallists at the East Asian Games and, in 2010, medallists at the AG and the Asian Para Games, to further support the development of local sports.  Since 1996, the Scheme has given out over HK$42 million to 433 top-performing local athletes.

Cash incentives table has been updated with an additional bronze medal in swimming - Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay event (announced by Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China in June 2015):

Table of Cash Incentives Awarded to Hong Kong medallists at the 17^th AG (PDF)