Private sponsors 'can take Games haul to next level'

Elite Sports Committee chairman Cheng King-leung has hailed the success of the Hong Kong, China contingent at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and called for for greater private‑sector sponsorship support from local corporations and major firms. The team wrapped up its campaign by ending up ninth on the medals table with 11 golds, 19 silvers and 24 bronzes for Hong Kong's best-ever performance in Asian Games history. Speaking on RTHK's Backchat programme on Monday, Cheng said Hong Kong’s showing at the Asian Games had exceeded expectations. He said officials had made initially expected the medal haul to be similar to previous Games, but had been pleasantly surprised by stronger performances in several sports, singling out for special mention tennis ace Coleman Wong, who won gold at the Games and, with that, qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. In welcoming the contingent's results, Cheng stressed that long‑term success depends on stronger commercial backing. "The success of the Hong Kong delegation reflects years of sustained investment by the Hong Kong SAR government, but I think in the immediate future, a greater commercial sponsor from our local corporations and major firms is urgently needed," he said. He said commercial support and sponsorship is essential to the city's sport development in the years ahead, pointing to Thailand's having secured six more gold medals than the previous Hangzhou Asian Games following "a complete corporate sponsorship" programme initiated by the government. Cheng said Hong Kong's recent success would encourage more youngsters to consider elite sport careers if post‑sport employment pathways and sponsorship support continued to improve. He added that the scarcity of facilities must be addressed promptly and welcomed the government's plans to invest in 26 sports development projects, including the Victoria Park revamp. Edited by Tony Sabine

2026-10-05 13:15:00