Chairman’s Statement
This year has been one of exceptional achievements and purposeful progress, all made possible by the collective dedication of the athletes, coaches, support teams and partners. At the heart of our work lies a clear and enduring mission: to empower Hong Kong’s elite athletes to excel on the global stage.
Mr Tang King-shing GBS PDSM
Success in competition must be underpinned by robust investment in infrastructure and systems. This year, the HKSI has significantly advanced the foundations of elite training. The inauguration of the New Facilities Building in December 2024 marked a pivotal milestone in our long-term development strategy. This three-storey building, providing 9,000m² of operational space, houses dedicated training halls for karatedo and table tennis, two Fitness Training Centres, and state-of-the-art facilities for sports science and medicine. Complementing this, Phase Two of our Facilities Development Project commenced in early 2025, involving the renovation and repurposing of the Sports Complex to incorporate new training venues for Para sports, athlete rest areas and ancillary facilities. Completion is anticipated in early 2026, further elevating our ability to provide world-class training environments.
Alongside infrastructure, the HKSI has taken decisive steps to strengthen the provision of sports medicine. The separation of the Sports Medicine Division from the Elite Training Science and Technology Division underscores our determination to deepen development in this critical area. This Division adopts a holistic approach to evaluating each athlete’s needs, offering bespoke solutions across their performance journey, from nutrition and mental well-being to injury management, rehabilitation and return-to-play strategies. Bolstered by the newly established Sports Medicine and Sports Science Committee whose membership spans key specialties such as cardiology and traumatology, orthopaedics, physiotherapy, anti-doping and technology, and under the leadership of a dedicated Director and Associate Director for sports medicine, the Division will pioneer advances in athlete health, risk reduction and performance optimisation.
Scientific innovation is also driving progress. Through the Sports Science and Research Funding Scheme, 28 projects have been approved as at the end of March 2025. These efforts are already shaping training programmes and refining recovery protocols, ensuring that our athletes benefit from evidence-based practices and cutting-edge methodologies.
Partnerships have been instrumental in extending our vision. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with L’ Institut National du Sport, de l’Expertise et de la Performance (INSEP) has established a valuable connection with one of the world’s premier high performance institutes, facilitating knowledge exchange in training, coaching and sports science. The HKSI has also strengthened ties with the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (HKAM) and the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association (HKPA), enhancing professional standards and creating new avenues for collaborative training and research. These alliances underscore our commitment to global best practice and continuous improvement.
The HKSI’s engagement with the international sporting community has deepened further. In December 2024, we co-hosted the Association of Sport Performance Centres (ASPC) XII International Forum on Elite Sport, bringing together over 170 delegates from more than 30 countries and regions while fostering insightful discussions on emerging trends in high performance sport and reinforcing valuable networks for future collaboration. Similarly, welcoming the Mainland Olympians Delegation following the Paris Olympic Games provided an opportunity for meaningful exchange, strengthening bonds of friendship and mutual learning that transcend boundaries and reaffirming the shared commitment to sporting excellence.
Education remains a fundamental pillar of our athlete-centred ethos. Through the Partnership School Programme, 11 athletes graduated this year, with seven advancing to tertiary education, while 23 new students enrolled. The HKSI’s MOU with tertiary institutions, combined with the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme, enabled the admission of 67 athletes to higher diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Campaigns surrounding the Paris Games, including exhibitions and related social media initiatives, achieved over 2.2 million interactions, celebrating the athletes’ accomplishments and inspiring future generations. Two Celebration Racedays for the Delegations, co-organised with The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and partners, honoured the top eight athletes and distributed incentive awards exceeding HK$30 million. Meanwhile, the Jockey Club Sports PLUS Elite Athletes Community Programme continued to promote sport in schools and communities, engaging thousands through roving exhibitions, seminars and athlete appearances.
The HKSI remains fully committed to working hand in hand with stakeholders to elevate Hong Kong’s elite sports to new heights. Guided by our core values of integrity, accountability and excellence, we will continue to advance with determination and purpose. With the Government’s strong policy direction and resource commitment, preparations are already well under way for upcoming Multi-sport Games.
I extend my sincere appreciation to the Government; the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China; the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee; the National Sports Associations; the education sector; the sponsors and partners; the media; supporters; and the wider sporting community. I also wish to express my gratitude to the Board, the management team, our coaches, and all HKSI staff. The steadfast commitment empowers our athletes to aspire boldly and compete with courage. Together, we will continue to serve Hong Kong through elite sports, building a lasting legacy of achievement and pride for generations to come.
Mr Tang King-shing GBS PDSM
Chairman, Hong Kong Sports Institute