Sports Subvention Scheme

The Department is responsible for the administration of government funding for the promotion and development of sports in Hong Kong. Subventions are provided to NSAs and sports associations for the organisation of sports events, training programmes and competitions. During 2006, the Department provided subventions of approximately $150 million to NSAs and sports associations for organising 8 100 sports programmes for more than 650 000 participants.

Under the scheme, NSAs were given subsidies to organise 61 international events held locally to provide more opportunities for spectators and enthusiasts to watch sports events at international levels, and to stimulate interest in sports. The events included the 2006 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, FINA Marathon Swimming World Cup — Hong Kong, 15^th Eastcolight Super Kung Sheung Cup International Basketball Invitation Championship, 2006 FIVB World Grand Prix — Hong Kong, Tour of the South China Sea (Cycling), OSIM 2006 Hong Kong ITU Triathlon Asian Cup, 11^th Asian Gold Cup Taekwondo Tournament and Hong Kong Junior Squash Open.

An action shot of a close race at the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races. The dragon boat competition is a popular event for both local people and tourists.

The NSAs also organised more than 320 local competitions for about 360 000 participants. The competitions were designed to foster sports culture among players and spectators. The major events with spectator appeal were the Adidas Streetball Challenge, Nike Hong Kong Football Five, Hong Kong Sports Climbing Championships, Hong Kong National Water Ski and Wakeboard Championships, Hong Kong Cup Archery Tournament, Hong Kong National Junior Tennis Championships, Hong Kong Youth Indoor Rowing Championships, Hong Kong Windsurfing Circuit and Hong Kong Open (Table-Tennis) Championships. A series of inter-school sports competitions was also organised to provide competition opportunities for primary and secondary school students.

Sports promotion schemes and training courses are important components of the subvented programmes. The sports development programmes in 2006 included regional squad training, school sports programmes and various training schemes such as the Hang Seng Table Tennis Academy-New Generation Table Tennis Training Course, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Badminton (Award) Training Scheme, Youth Football Scheme, Nike Hong Kong Youth (Boys and Girls) Basketball Training Scheme, Youth Windsurfing Promotion Scheme, Youth Wushu Promotion Scheme, Youth Handball Training Programme and Junior FinSwimming Training Silver Medal Course.