The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) today (15 October) announced cash incentives to support HKSAR athletes competing in the upcoming 15th National Games. The announcement was made at a flag presentation ceremony at Kowloon Park Sports Centre today to give the HKSAR delegation a heartfelt send-off ahead of next month’s Games.

The three-year Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (JCAIAS) was launched in 2023. Under the scheme, the Club sponsors the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) to provide cash awards to Hong Kong, China athletes who excel in major sporting events. These include the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Asian Para Games, World University Games, National Games and National Games for Persons with Disabilities together with their respective Winter Games. Nearly HK$76 million in cash incentives has been granted to date.

The National Games, held once every four years, are the nation’s highest-level and largest multi-sports event. This year will be the first time Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have co-hosted the National Games. To encourage HKSAR athletes and to promote sports development, the Club will provide cash incentives in all medal categories of the 15th National Games, with individual and team gold medallists receiving HK$750,000 and HK$1,500,000 respectively.  (See table below for details).

Speaking at the ceremony, Rosanna Law, HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism thanked the Jockey Club for donating HK$450 million to support the Hong Kong Competition Region, as well as for providing cash incentives to medallists under the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme to further encourage the performance of HKSAR team as they strive for top results in this year’s National Games.

Club Chairman, The Hon Martin Liao said that the Club’s sponsorship of the JCAIAS underlines its commitment to the development of local athletes. “Sport empowers and inspires people, providing essential physical and psychological benefits,” he said. “The Club is eager to foster a culture of public participation in sport at both community and elite levels, in keeping with our mission to act continuously for the betterment of society. The remarkable achievements of our athletes in national and international competitions in recent years and the determination, perseverance and willpower they demonstrated have made us proud. On behalf of the Club, I wish the HKSAR team every success and trust they will do their best to contribute to the great success of the 15th National Games.”

The Club has long promoted sport at community and elite levels, enabling people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to participate. The HKSI (initially called the Jubilee Sports Centre), funded by the Club in partnership with the Government, was established as a training base for local elite athletes in 1982. In 2021, to boost research and development in elite sport, 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.

As a world-class sports and entertainment organisation rooted in Hong Kong, the Club is a staunch supporter of the country’s national and international sports events. As sole Partner Sponsor of the 15th National Games, 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 9th National Special Olympic Games for the Hong Kong Competition Region, the Club and its Charities Trust have jointly committed a total of HK$450 million. The Club has also committed RMB50 million to support the Games in the Guangdong Competition Region, including official activities, volunteer services and promotional work as well as technical support for the equestrian events.

Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme: details of cash incentives
15th National Games (9 November to 21 November, 2025) 

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class sports and entertainment organisation 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 2024/25, the Club returned a total of HK$39.1 billion to the community. This included HK$30.1 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$9.0 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 leading charity donors.