HKJC Sponsors $450 Million for Upcoming National Games in Hong Kong, Supporting Community Engagement and Volunteer Initiatives.

2025-06-26 19:00 Last Updated At：06-27 01:18

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) announced today (26 June) that it will provide HK$450 million to support the Hong Kong Competition Region in this year’s 15th National Games, 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 9th National Special Olympic Games (NGD & NSOG). This underlines the Club’s support for national sporting events and its strong commitment to promoting sports development together with the HKSAR Government.

The Signing Ceremony for The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Support for the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games in the Hong Kong Competition Region was held at the Central Government Offices today. The signing ceremony was witnessed by HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee. Signatories were HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law and Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. The Club and its Charities Trust are together providing a total of HK$450 million and will be the sole Partner Sponsor of the National Games and NGD & NSOG for the Hong Kong Competition Region, making them the highest-tier sponsor.

Click to Gallery

15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG in Hong Kong to receive sponsorship from Hong Kong Jockey Club (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

More Images

15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG in Hong Kong to receive sponsorship from Hong Kong Jockey Club (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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 as well as the NGD & NSOG. This is a historic moment and a unique opportunity, not only to promote sportsmanship, health, and cohesion within the Greater Bay Area but also to showcase Hong Kong's ability to host major sports events.

Club Chairman Michael Lee extended his best wishes for the success of the National Games as well as the National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the National Special Olympic Games. He remarked that the Club, as a world-class sports organisation with a strong commitment to the country and Hong Kong, has consistently supported the advancement of the country’s sporting aspirations and development needs. For example, the Club funded the construction of the venues for the equestrian events of the Beijing Olympic Games and Guangzhou Asian Games as well as providing professional support. It also provided technical support for the Hangzhou Asian Games equestrian events. As such the Club is honoured to support these major sporting events. Indeed, the National Games will further strengthen the Greater Bay Area’s integration while also promoting institutional innovation through sport.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law emphasised that the successful hosting of the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG is a major priority for Hong Kong this year. She highlighted that the staunch support and sponsorship from the HKJC would significantly boost event preparations in Hong Kong, particularly in supporting volunteer service programmes, territory-wide community and school promotional activities, and initiatives enabling underprivileged groups and youth to attend the events as spectators. She expressed gratitude for the HKJC’s contribution and reaffirmed Hong Kong’s commitment to co-hosting with Guangdong and Macao a simple, safe and wonderful Games.

The Club is also pleased to sponsor the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) to provide cash incentives under the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (JCAIAS) to Hong Kong, China athletes who win medals at the National Games and NGD. The scheme has already rewarded Hong Kong, China athletes for their outstanding performances, including at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics and the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and Asian Para Games. The Club wishes athletes the very best for the games and looks forward to their outstanding results.

In addition, around 100 members from the Club’s CARE@hkjc volunteer team will help out as Group Volunteers for the Hong Kong Competition Region. Sharing the Club’s purpose - for the betterment of society - the dedicated staff members will undergo 13 hours of training in preparation. Aside from showing their caring hearts, their involvement in the National Games Volunteer Programme exemplifies the Club's strong support for national sports development.v

As a world-class sports organisation rooted in Hong Kong, the Club has long been a staunch supporter of the country’s major regional and international multi-sports events, including the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. Following the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, the Club developed Conghua Racecourse, transforming the former equestrian competition venue in Conghua district, Guangzhou, into a world-class horse training facility. The Club’s longtime collaboration with government authorities has significantly advanced cross-boundary co-operation with respect to horse transportation, quarantine, veterinary practices and the use of medications.

Over the years, the Club has promoted sports at both the community and elite levels through numerous initiatives, enabling people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to enjoy sports. Funded by the Club in partnership with the Government, the HKSI was established in 1982 (initially named the Jubilee Sports Centre) as a training base for elite local athletes. In 2021, the Club pledged HK$150 million to match the HKSAR Government’s HK$150 million grant for the Sports Science and Research Funding Scheme.

The 15th National Games will be held from 9 to 21 November 2025. Hong Kong will stage eight competition events: basketball (men’s U22), track cycling, fencing, golf, handball (men), rugby sevens, triathlon and beach volleyball, and one mass-participation event, bowling.

The NGD & NSOG will take place from 8 to 15 December 2025. Hong Kong will stage four competition events, namely boccia, wheelchair fencing and table tennis (TT11) for the NGD, and table tennis for the NSOG. There will also be a mass-participation para dance sports event.

Jockey Club Believe & Bounce Basketball Programme

To provide more children and young people with opportunities to engage with basketball, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has committed HK$70.75 million through its Charities Trust to support a three-year Jockey Club Believe & Bounce Basketball Programme. This initiative, to be jointly implemented by InspiringHK Sports Foundation (IHKSports), The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong (BGCA) and the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG), aims to make basketball more accessible for students and underprivileged groups, thereby enhancing their physical and mental well-being and fostering their personal growth.

The programme kick-off ceremony took place today (13 September) at Tai Kwun. Attending guests included Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government; Kenneth Fok, Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and Vice President of Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China; Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Hsu Siu-man, Executive Director of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups; Billie Lau, Executive Director of The Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong and Yasmin Fong, Board Member of the InspiringHK Sports Foundation.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges highlighted that the Club has always been dedicated to sports development in Hong Kong, investing in both facilities and programmes to promote sport at all levels – from the grass roots to elite athletes, from kindergarten children to senior citizens. The Club is therefore pleased to join hands with its three outstanding partners to implement this three-year programme. Believing strongly in the power of sport to shape and change lives, the Club hopes that these basketball programmes will bring pleasure and fulfilment to young people in Hong Kong - helping them to live healthier, happier and more positive lives.

The three basketball programmes under the Jockey Club Believe & Bounce Basketball Programme are InspiringHK Dream Factory run by IHKSports; BGCA Care run by BGCA; and HKFYG Hustle 5 run by HKFYG. The programmes are expected to benefit more than 32,000 people, including over 660 coaches. Key elements include:

• Tailor-made basketball training for children and youth aged 5 to 24:

Introductory courses for kindergarten and primary students to spark their interest in basketball and foster an active lifestyle

A training model for primary schools, designed by professionals including social workers and sports psychologists, to help students build a strong foundation for their growth.

Skill-focused district training programmes led by coaches from the East Asia Super League to provide young people, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, with more access to high-quality professional training and elite-level competitions to enhance their skills.

• Capacity-building courses and workshops:

Basketball-related programmes to equip young people with soft and hard skills, helping them understand the industry and explore career pathways.

Professional training for coaches to and skill enhancement workshops for social workers, to ensure the quality of the programme.

• Events to foster basketball development in Hong Kong:

Inter-school championships, basketball-themed challenge days, carnivals and school tours to promote healthy lifestyles and physical development.

Outstanding students will be invited to participate in competitions and exchange activities.

Sports development is a major focus for the Club. Over the years, it has supported many sports initiatives to nurture talent and promote a healthier and more vibrant society instilled with positive attitudes and values, all of which is in line with the Club’s purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of society.

In the last ten years alone, the Club’s Charities Trust has provided HK$6.69 billion to support sports development at both elite and community levels. The Club also supports the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme, which rewards the achievements of top athletes, and most recently committed HK$500 million to support the Hong Kong and Guangdong Competition regions in the upcoming 15th National Games, 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 9th National Special Olympic Games. The Club also has long-standing programmes to promote equestrian sport and to develop young people through football.

Additionally, the Club has supported a number of basketball initiatives over the years. Most notably, with 3 on 3 basketball now a medal event at the Olympic and Asian Games, the Club has organised the HKJC Community Cup 3 on 3 Basketball Championship to support this emerging game’s development among young people.

Other past basketball-related initiatives include the “Jockey Club Sports Empowering Programme” organised by the Department of Health and Physical Education of the Education University of Hong Kong, in collaboration with local sports associations including Hoops for Hope Basketball Asia, and the Club-supported “HKFYG Jockey Club Youth Sports Development Project”, which encourages young people to participate in sports, including basketball. The Club has also funded renovations at Southorn Stadium, including upgrading basketball facilities to enable it to host more high-level, large-scale and international competitions and events.

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club Believe & Bounce Basketball Programme, 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.

Jockey Club Believe & Bounce Basketball Programme factsheet

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has committed HK$70.75 million to support a three-year Jockey Club Believe & Bounce Basketball Programme to be co-run by the InspiringHK Sports Foundation, The Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups.

The programme will feature a variety of initiatives to make basketball more accessible for students and underprivileged young people, thereby enhancing their physical and mental well-being and fostering their personal growth. It is expected to benefit more than 32,000 people, including over 660 coaches.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges: “We want to do even more for sports, and we have decided that we will double our amount we will fund to sports development in the next three years. So we plan, in a way, in the next three years to spend 3 billion on sports and sports development. ”

The main components of the three basketball development initiatives under the Jockey Club Believe & Bounce Basketball Programme are:

• Jockey Club Believe & Bounce Basketball Programme: InspiringHK Dream Factory

• 3x3 basketball, an accessible and fun basketball format, will be introduced to kindergarten and lower primary school students, to enable them to develop healthy and active lifestyles from a young age.

• Adopting a progressive, step-by-step approach, a school-based 3x3 basketball training scheme will be designed by professionals, including sports coaches and sports psychologists, to enable the primary students to build a strong foundation for their growth. An inter-school 3x3 Championship will provide a competitive platform for school teams.

• To support the effective delivery of the school-based 3x3 basketball training scheme, training courses will enhance the skills of basketball coaches and university students studying subjects related to sport and sports education.

• Basketball skills enhancement clinics will enable children and young people, outside of the programme to experience 3x3 basketball on weekends and public holidays.

• Jockey Club Believe & Bounce Basketball Programme: BGCA Care

• A youth development-oriented league will be launched for young people, combining regular basketball training and competitions with career and life planning to equip them with the skills needed to overcome life challenges and develop transferable skills for their future endeavours.

• Social workers will collaborate with coaches to prepare individual development plans for youth participants. They will also introduce basketball-related industries to help them explore different career and life development paths.

• Academic experts will share techniques with social workers to better manage issues impacting young people.

• Participating youths will be encouraged to organise social service events to give back to the community.

• Jockey Club Believe & Bounce Basketball Programme: HKFYG Hustle 5

• East Asia Super League (EASL) coaches will be invited to lead regular district basketball training sessions, giving students and underprivileged youngsters access to high-quality professional training and elite-level competitions.

• Training courses will help basketball coaches to enhance their skills and teach EASL courses more effectively.

• EASL will invite 20 outstanding Hong Kong students to showcase the skills they have learned alongside peers from Macau and the Philippines.

• Basketball-themed challenge days, carnivals and school tours will promote healthy lifestyles and physical development.

HKJC Sponsors $450 Million for Upcoming National Games in Hong Kong, Supporting Community Engagement and Volunteer Initiatives.

HK