News

The Hong Kong, China delegation returned from the Hangzhou 4^th Asian Para Games (APG) with distinguished results. To recognise athletes’ achievements, the HKSI, along with The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), hosted the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (“JCAIAS”) presentation ceremony, awarded a total of over HK$7 million cash incentives to 46 medallists from seven different sports.

Winning 8 gold, 15 silver and 24 bronze medals, Hong Kong athletes have earned a haul of 47 medals from the APG, with continued triumph in badminton and swimming clinching four gold medals, while the other four golds come from boccia, lawn bowls and table tennis. Table tennis athletes won altogether 12 medals which is the highest among all sports.

Officiating guests at the ceremony included Mr Kevin Yeung Yun-hung GBS JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Lester Huang SBS JP, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Mrs Jenny Fung Ma Kit-han SBS JP, President of China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Mr Tang King-shing GBS PDSM, Chairman of the HKSI.

Mr Tang King-shing showed his appreciation to Hong Kong athletes for their all-out effort at the competitions. He said, "The remarkable result of Hong Kong athletes is attributed to the growing support from the HKSAR Government to the development of disability sports and elite training in recent years. The HKSI has over 50 full-time Scholarship Athletes of disability, who receive support in accommodation, sports science, sports medicine, finance, etc. and over 80% of APG medallists are the HKSI Scholarship Athletes. I would like to thank the HKSAR Government, the HKJC and all parties in the local sports sector and look forward to our continued collaboration. I hope the community will continue to root for our athletes in the coming Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games."

“JCAIAS aims to reward and show encouragement to our medallists in Team Hong Kong, China for their remarkable victories,” said Mr Lester Huang. “Going forward, the Club will continue to fully support local sports development to engage the whole community in sports.”

Among all sports, swimming has the highest number of gold medals at the APG. Swimming athlete Chan Yui-lam, who won 2 gold and 3 silver medals at this year's APG, shared, "I am delighted with my performance at the APG, and the butterfly event in particular that I clinched a gold medal. My persistence pays off and I would like to thank the HKJC for sponsoring JCAIAS which has boosted athletes’ morale. We will continue to train hard for breakthroughs at upcoming major sports competitions."

Winning 1 gold and 1 silver at the APG, badminton athlete Chu Man-kai said, “in face of the fierce competitions, I am delighted to have met my target. Thanks to the coaching and supporting teams who have provided us with indispensable assistance. My gratitude to the mass public and the HKJC in particular for their support and recognition. I hope the public will continue to root for athletes at the Paralympics in 2024.”

Wheelchair fencer Yu Chui-yee has clinched altogether four medals at APG. She said, “I’m overwhelmed with what I have achieved at the APG. Other than my coaches and the supporting team, I would like to thank the community for their growing care and attention to athletes with disabilities, and my wholehearted thanks to the HKJC for its long-term support to athletes. JCAIAS has given us great encouragement to perform my best and win medals.”

Established by the HKSI in 1994, the Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme provides cash incentives to local medallists at various Major Games, with an aim to show recognition and appreciation to their hard work and dedication. The HKJC continues to support the HKSI and extend its sponsorship for JCAIAS for three years, starting from 2023. The Scheme offers cash incentives to medallists at seven Major Games, namely the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Asian Para Games, National Games, National Paralympic Games and World University Games. Cash incentives will also be given to athletes who have won the fourth to eighth places at the Olympics and Paralympic Games.

The table of cash incentives awarded to Hong Kong, China medallists at the APG can be downloaded here.