A cheque presentation ceremony was held today (15 December) to recognise the outstanding achievements of Hong Kong, China’s athletes, who brought home a total of 47 medals from the Hangzhou 4th Asian Para Games. The medallists were rewarded for their efforts under the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (“JCAIAS”).

Club Steward Lester Huang attended the ceremony and joined Kevin Yeung, HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism; Jenny Fung, President of China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Tang King-shing, Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Institute (“HKSI”) in congratulating the athletes on their success.

“The Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme aims to reward and show encouragement to our medallists in the Hong Kong, China team for their remarkable victories,” said Club Steward Lester Huang. “Going forward, the Club will continue to fully support local sports development to engage the whole community in sports.”

The JCAIAS, which was established by HKSI and is sponsored by the Club, provides cash incentives to recognise athletes who earn distinction for Hong Kong by winning gold, silver or bronze medals in top-level competitions. The scheme covers seven major sporting events: the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Asian Para Games, National Games, National Para Games and FISU World University Games. Cash incentives will also be awarded to athletes finishing in fourth to eighth places in the Olympics and Paralympics.

Over the years, the Club has promoted sports at both the community and elite levels through numerous initiatives, enabling people of all ages and abilities to enjoy sports. Funded jointly by the Club and the Government, the HKSI (then called the Jubilee Sports Centre) opened in 1982. In 1992, the Club’s Charities Trust provided an endowment of HK$200 million to establish a trust fund, now called the Hong Kong Jockey Club Elite Athletes Fund. In 2021, the Club pledged HK$150 million in funding to match the HKSAR Government’s HK$150 million grant for the Sports Science and Research Funding Scheme.

Attachment: Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme - Hangzhou 4th Asian Para Games medallists list

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 charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2022/23, the Club returned a total of HK$35.9 billion to the community. This included HK$28.6 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$7.3 billion in approved charity donations.  The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world’s top ten charity donors.