The Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme recognises athletes who earn glory for Hong Kong by winning medals in six major international competitions. Today (6 November), Club Steward Sir C K Chow joined Secretary for Home Affairs the Hon Lau Kong-wah; President of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled Jenny Fung; Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) Dr Lam Tai-fai and other guests to congratulate the city’s medallists on their outstanding performances at the 2018 Asian Para Games, which took place in Indonesia last month.

Sir C K Chow said that through supporting the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme, the Club aimed at commending local athletes and enabling the community to take pride in and be inspired by their tremendous efforts, which would in turn encourage the public to exercise more. Some 200 athletes had been rewarded under the scheme so far. “The Club has been supporting athletes with disabilities participating in international games and recognising their determination to overcome disabilities as they serve as role models for the public,” he explained. “In addition, we have been promoting social inclusion across different segments of society through supporting various sporting initiatives. The Club believes that despite any mental or physical disabilities that people may have, sports are beneficial to health as well as personality, and help build confidence and team spirit.”    

In 2016, the Club donated more than HK$18 million to the HKSI to support the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme for three years. Cash awards are provided to those winning medals at six major games, namely the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Asian Para Games, National Games and World University Games.

At the 2018 Asian Para Games, Hong Kong won a record-breaking 48 medals, comprising 11 gold, 16 silver and 21 bronze. Among their achievements, they gained Hong Kong’s first-ever boccia gold medal at the Asian Para Games, and broke the Asian Para Games and Asian records in swimming.

The Club has been a staunch supporter of the development of local sports facilities and talent over the years to help Hong Kong’s elite athletes perform on the world stage. To help the athletes and coaches develop their sports careers, the Club has donated more than HK$710 million to support the hardware and software development of the HKSI since 1977. This includes the establishment of the HKSI (then called the Jubilee Sports Centre) in 1982, which involved the construction of buildings and training tracks; and the setting-up of an endowment fund. In 2013, the Club also supported the redevelopment of the former athletes’ hostel into the Jockey Club Sports Building.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charity and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2017/18, the Club made a record return to the Government of HK$22.6 billion in duty and profits tax and contributed HK$1.2 billion to the Lotteries Fund. Approved charity donations were HK$4.2 billion. The Club is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong.