Lack of subsidy hinders sports development

    Becoming an international athlete is never easy in Hong Kong.

    Not only do they have to withstand tough training before going out for competition; but also overcome problems that hinder the development of sports and training of athletes in Hong Kong.

    Money is the major problem for both training and building sports facilities.

    The chairman of the department of sports science and physical education of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Dr. Johns David Paul, stated that helping the athletes to reach high performance level is now more difficult than before.

    Dr. Johns said, "This is because if local athletes want to compete at the international level, they have to devote much time to preparation.

    "Therefore, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain a normal life."

    According to Dr. Johns, if local university students compete at international level, they may have to face financial problems which foreign students may not have to face.

    In foreign countries like North America, Australia and Great Britain students are given financial assistance to relieve such problems.

    In this way, they can concentrate on preparing for competition and continue their study without having to work.

    However, in Hong Kong the subsidies are provided only to elite athletes for their travelling costs, loss due to no time to work, and buying of equipment and clothing.

    Now, it is a common practice to give athletes money as a reward when they win a medal.

    Said Dr. Johns: "It is quite an appropriate incentive. Everybody likes money and everybody likes to receive a prize for their efforts and success."

    Dr. Johns said that most athletes throughout the world receive financial benefits after they became champions. It seems that Hong Kong is following this trend.

    Lack of money also affects the standard of facilities.

    According to Dr. Johns, in some western countries, universities provide training equipment and facilities that are up to international standard.

    Thus, university students who are also athletes can receive training inside the campus.

    "Unfortunately, in Hong Kong the facilities in universities are below standard. As a result, most elite athletes would have to train at sports institutes.

    "Running a sports institute is very expensive. It needs to have excellent equipment, facilities and highly paid coaches. All these cost a lot of money.

    "I don't see that there is any way that you can cut the training cost here in Hong Kong," said Dr. Johns.

    Not enough subsidy for sports development also occurs in secondary schools in Hong Kong.

    The Penal Chairman of Physical Education Department of Jockey Club Ti-I College, Mr. Ho Hon Kin, said that the subsidy provided by the government is not enough.

    As his school emphasizes the development of sports, a huge amount of money is required for the maintenance of sports facilities.

    "Our school receives the same amount of subsidy from the government just like other grammar schools," said Mr. Ho.

    "We have to depend on the funding provided by the Jockey Club for special facilities such as the swimming pool there is an evaluation of every sports team at the beginning of each academic term.

    Teams with a reasonable number of students to participate and good performance in competition are able to survive; otherwise they are cut.

    Facing the problem, both Dr. Johns and Mr. Ho said that the government should do something to solve it.

    Said Dr. Johns: "I'd love to see the government provide The Chinese University with financial support to build a multipurpose facility building including fitness rooms, laboratories and classrooms.

    "It should be of high standard and permit training of high performance athletes.

    "In addition, it would allow the community to share and benefit from the good quality equipment and facilities."

    According to Mr. Ho, the government should change its attitude towards sports development.

    Said he: "The government should focus more on the development of sports education as it benefits the students and the society.

    "It should take up the initiative to promote sports education," he added.

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