World Cup Star Suker Tells Hong Kong to Follow Croatia Model, Accepts Honorary Presidency
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Davor Suker, the celebrated Croatian striker who helped his nation reach the 1998 World Cup semi-finals, has been appointed honorary president of Hong Kong Premier League club Eastern District . The FIFA ambassador, who recently defended president Gianni Infantino against criticism, told Hong Kong to "be more like Croatia" in developing its football programme despite the city-state's struggles to qualify for the World Cup . Suker succeeds former technical director John Morling, who had similarly pointed to Croatia's success as a model for Hong Kong to emulate .
Key Points
- Davor Suker, former Real Madrid and Arsenal striker, joins Eastern District as honorary president after nine years as head of the Croatian Football Federation until 2021
- Croatia, with a population of just under 4 million, has reached one World Cup final and two semi-finals over the past 28 years
- Hong Kong, with a population of 7 million, currently ranks world No. 156 and has never qualified for the World Cup
- Suker will attend Eastern District's opening game of the campaign at BC Rangers on Sunday
- He has developed friendships with Eric Fok Kai-shan and Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, the current and former chairmen of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China
Why It Matters
The appointment brings international credibility to Hong Kong football at a time when the city-state remains far from World Cup qualification, even with the expanded 64-team tournament . Suker's success story—transforming a small nation into a football powerhouse through disciplined training and smart talent identification—offers a concrete blueprint for Hong Kong's development, though critics may question whether his advisory role will translate into meaningful structural changes .
The appointment brings international credibility to Hong Kong football at a time when the city-state remains far from World Cup qualification, even with the expanded 64-team tournament . Suker's success story—transforming a small nation into a football powerhouse through disciplined training and smart talent identification—offers a concrete blueprint for Hong Kong's development, though critics may question whether his advisory role will translate into meaningful structural changes .