HKJC Backs Hong Kong Athletes with Up to HK$2 Million for Team Gold at 2026 Asian Games
Thestandard · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has pledged its full backing for local athletes competing at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, unveiling a generous cash incentive programme that rewards medal-winning performances. Club chairman Martin Liao Cheung-kong and chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges attended the flag presentation ceremony on Tuesday to officially send off the Hong Kong, China delegation. The Games are scheduled to take place in Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026, marking the first major event under a new cycle of the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (JCAIAS) .
Key Points
- Team gold medallists at the Asian Games will receive HK$2 million under the JCAIAS, while individual gold winners will be awarded HK$1 million .
- Silver and bronze medals carry respective rewards of HK$500,000 and HK$250,000 for individual events, and HK$1 million and HK$500,000 for team events .
- The incentive scheme, announced in August, is implemented in partnership with the Hong Kong Sports Institute and covers seven major upcoming sporting events .
- HKJC chairman Martin Liao Cheung-kong highlighted the club's consistent support for athletic development at both elite and community levels .
- The Aichi-Nagoya Games mark the first major event under the refreshed JCAIAS cycle, with Liao wishing the delegation every success .
Why It Matters
The substantial financial incentives demonstrate Hong Kong's growing commitment to elite sports development and provide athletes with tangible recognition for their years of dedication. This support scheme signals a strategic investment in positioning Hong Kong as a competitive force in Asian athletics, potentially inspiring greater grass-roots participation across multiple sports disciplines .
The substantial financial incentives demonstrate Hong Kong's growing commitment to elite sports development and provide athletes with tangible recognition for their years of dedication. This support scheme signals a strategic investment in positioning Hong Kong as a competitive force in Asian athletics, potentially inspiring greater grass-roots participation across multiple sports disciplines .