Lawmakers debate sports growth in five-year plan
SingTao · 1 SOURCES1 day ago5 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong’s Legislative Council continued its second day of debate on Thursday on the city’s first five-year plan and the Policy Address, first completing a session on strengthening the “four centres” and building a talent hub to consolidate international competitiveness. In that debate, DAB lawmaker Vincent Cheng Wing-shun (鄭泳舜) said he welcomed the plan’s vision of expanding Hong Kong’s sports industry and the inclusion of a series of measurable targets for the sector. He said clearer direction for the next five years could encourage the sports sector, business community and athletes to commit more resources. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui (羅淑佩) said the government would continue improving systems, investing resources and increasing the economic contribution of the sports industry.
Key Points
- Cheng said the five-year plan sets out a vision to expand Hong Kong’s sports industry and includes indicators that show official commitment to sports development.
- He called for the number of full-time athletes to rise by a further 20%, with more promising athletes admitted into the elite training system.
- Cheng said broader elite intake would help more sports build succession pipelines and continue moving athletes toward international standards.
- Rosanna Law said Hong Kong would contribute its own strengths to the national goal of becoming a leading sporting nation.
- Law cited Hong Kong’s record Asian Games haul of 11 gold, 19 silver and 24 bronze medals, for a total of 54 medals.
Why It Matters
The debate links sports policy not only to medals, but also to industry scale, talent development and wider economic contribution in Hong Kong. If the government follows through on targets and funding, the sector could gain a clearer five-year roadmap for athletes, clubs, investors and related businesses.