Jockey Club partners with Volleyball Nations League Hong Kong for third year to support community programmes

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is proud to serve as the Official Community Partner of the Volleyball Nations League Hong Kong in 2025, and work closely with the Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China to empower communities through volleyball. This is the third year the Club has supported the event.

To thank the Club for its support for the Jockey Club Volleyball Community Programmes, Club Steward Dr Silas Yang (left) is presented with a volleyball signed by players from the China Women’s National Team by Wilfred Ng, President of Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China (right).

As a world-class sports organisation rooted in Hong Kong, the Club is delighted to once again support the Jockey Club Volleyball Community Programmes. Through these programmes, students, underprivileged groups and people with disabilities have the unique opportunity to experience the thrill of volleyball, both off and on the court, during this world-class international tournament.

Anita Fung, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club visits the Jockey Club booth.

An opening ceremony for the tournament was held today at the Kai Tak Arena. In recognition of the Club’s ongoing support for volleyball and community sports, Club Steward Dr Silas Yang was presented with a volleyball signed by members of the China Women’s National Team by Volleyball Association President Wilfred Ng.

Members of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team provide face-painting services and pose for a photo with Raymond Tam, Executive Director of Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (4th left).

The opening ceremony was attended by Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, HKSAR Government Deputy Secretary for Justice; Pan Yundong, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the HKSAR; Lau Chun, HKSAR Government Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism; Lin Nan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Dr Silas Yang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Timothy Fok, President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China; Wilfred Ng, President of the Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China and other guests.

In Touch with the China Volleyball National Team, one of the Jockey Club Volleyball Community Programmes, provided opportunities for students to play volleyball and receive training from National Team players.

This year, the Jockey Club Volleyball Community Programmes are engaging over 11,000 members of the public through a wide range of activities at the Volleyball Nations League Hong Kong 2025, including:

• Volunteer involvement: Over 120 volunteers have been trained to assist with tournament operations, including guest reception, venue logistics and public engagement initiatives. Members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team will also provide face-painting services, creating a joyful and interactive experience.

The “Watch and Listen” Volleyball Game programme enabled visually impaired participants to learn more about volleyball and enjoy the atmosphere of matches through their sense of hearing and touch.

• In Touch with the China Volleyball National Team event: More than 6,000 participants — including students, underprivileged residents and visually impaired individuals — watched practice sessions of the China female volleyball national team. Selected students were also invited to participate in technical exchanges and gain hands-on skills training with the national team players.

• “Watch and Listen” Volleyball Game: More than 5,000 students, underprivileged residents and people with disabilities (including those requiring audio-description services) have received complimentary access to live matches during the five-day event (18–22 June), to foster inclusive sporting experiences.

Beneficiaries of the Jockey Club Volleyball Community Programmes visit the Jockey Club booth and the Six International Sports Booths.

• Performance for the physically challenged: Students and participating organisations have the opportunity to take part in warm-up performances before matches, allowingaudiences to gain a deeper understanding of the various cultures represented by different volleyball teams through diverse performances and experience the charm of these traditions.

• Six International Sports Booths: Booths have been established in the Central Square of Kai Tak Sports Park, where students from eight schools and organisations can share information about the six participating teams and countries as well as local Hong Kong culture. This also enables them to gain insights into the global sports industry.

Volunteers assist with the Jockey Club Volleyball Community Programmes.

• Enjoy Sitting Volleyball “As One”: To promote social inclusion, local schools will take part in sitting volleyball sessions designed to increase awareness and participation in para sport. During the VNL, there is a sitting volleyball experience booth, enabling the public to explore the challenges of sitting volleyball while promoting a deeper understanding of the difficulties faced by individuals with disabilities.

Students from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Junior Sports Reporters Programme are conducting on-site interviews at the Volleyball Nations League Hong Kong tournament.

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club Volleyball Community Programmes, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, HKSAR Government Deputy Secretary for Justice (centre); Pan Yundong, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the HKSAR (4th left); Lau Chun, HKSAR Government Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism (4th right); Lin Nan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (3rd left); Dr Silas Yang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (1st left); Timothy Fok, President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (3rd right); Wilfred Ng, President of the Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China (2nd right) and other guests at the opening ceremony.

U.S. carrier JetBlue has raised its checked bag fees by as much as $9 as the war in the Middle East disrupts global oil supplies and increases fuel prices.

The new fees took effect Monday. For most domestic economy passengers, the first checked bag now costs $39, up from $35. During peak travel times such as April spring breaks, major holidays and the summer, passengers will have to pay $49 instead of $40, the airline said.

The airline, which has its flagship terminal at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press on Tuesday that charging more for optional services “used by select customers” would allow it to keep its airfares competitive.

“While we recognize that fee increases are never ideal, we take careful consideration to ensure these changes are implemented only when necessary,” JetBlue said.

Airlines around the world are confronting soaring operating expenses due to jet fuel prices that have jumped more than 85% since the Iran war began on Feb. 28. The conflict has curtailed ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key passageway for a fifth of the world's oil. Airspace closures in parts of the Middle East have added to the price pressure by forcing some airlines to take longer routes that burn more fuel.

A number of non-U.S. carriers already have added fuel surcharges or raised ticket prices in response.

Jet fuel is one of the airline industry’s biggest expenses, typically accounting for about a quarter of operating costs. The average price for a gallon of jet fuel reached $4.64 on Tuesday, up from $2.50 the day before the conflict broke out, according to Argus Media. The energy market intelligence company's U.S. Jet Fuel Index tracks the average prices across major hubs, including Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and New York.

Industry analysts expect U.S. airlines to pass some of their higher fuel costs on to travelers through add-ons, such as checked bags and seat upgrades, since they don't typically have fuel surcharges. And once one airline raises fees, analysts say, others are likely to follow.

JetBlue also increased the charge to check a second bag from $50 to $59 for off-peak periods, and from $60 to $69 for periods of peak demand.

The carrier said some customers would still be able to check their first bag for free, including those who hold one of the airline's co-branded credit cards and loyalty program members who reach certain tiers. Most customers flying transatlantic routes will also continue to receive their first checked bag free.

Iran's determination to close off the Strait of Hormuz to ships from nations it considers unfriendly has caused crude oil prices to fluctuate wildly and in turn, driven up fuel prices. Earlier this month, the CEOs of Delta Airlines, American Airlines and United Airlines reported that higher jet fuel prices had already added about $400 million in operating costs.

FILE - A Jet Blue Airlines jet pushes back from a gate at the Pittsburgh International Airport in Imperial, Pa., Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)