Jockey Club supports launch of sports governance programmes and Sports Governance and Integrity Alliance

Sports enrich people’s daily lives and national sports associations are essential in delivering high-quality programmes to the public. To enhance governance, operational capability and transparency within Hong Kong national sports associations (NSAs), The Hong Kong Jockey Club has approved a donation of over HK$31 million from its Charities Trust to support two key initiatives: the Jockey Club Capacity Building Programme for Sports Governance and the Jockey Club HKCGI Sports Governance Programme. Additionally, the Club’s Security, Integrity and Information Security Division will provide sharing and training on global sports governance and integrity best practices through workshops, resource materials and online content.

Programmes partner the ICAC has been engaged to host courses with a particular focus on anti-bribery and best practices in corruption prevention.

To ensure the successful implementation of these two programmes, the Sports Governance and Integrity Alliance (SGIA) has been formed comprising the following key partners: the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), the Club, the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), and the Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute (HKCGI).

A launch ceremony for the alliance and the two programmes took place today (28 August). Officiating 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; Danny Woo, Commissioner of the ICAC; Moray Taylor-Smith, Executive Director, Security, Integrity and Information Security of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; David Simmonds, President of The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute; and Edgar Yang, Honorary Secretary General of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.

Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government (3rd right); Kenneth Fok, Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and Vice President of Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (2nd left); Danny Woo, Commissioner of ICAC (3rd left); Moray Taylor-Smith, Executive Director, Security, Integrity and Information Security of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); David Simmonds, President of The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute (1st left) and Edgar Yang, Honorary Secretary General of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (1st right) at the Launching Ceremony of SGIA.

Speaking at the ceremony, Moray Taylor-Smith, the Club’s Executive Director, Security, Integrity and Information Security, emphasised the shared commitment among partners to ensure that sports are clean, fair, inclusive, ethical, rules-based and accountable to stakeholders. Drawing on a long history of integrity management expertise in its racing operations, the Club is honoured to collaborate closely with Hong Kong national sports associations and share with them the tools, resources and knowledge required to uphold the highest standards of governance, he said. He added that through the Trust’s donation, the Club hopes to empower national sports associations to strengthen their governance.

Moray Taylor-Smith, the Club’s Executive Director, Security, Integrity and Information Security delivers a speech at the Launching Ceremony of SGIA.

The Jockey Club Capacity Building Programme for Sports Governance and Jockey Club HKCGI Sports Governance Programme will be run by the SF&OC and HKCGI, respectively, with support from both the Club and the ICAC. Below are the programmes’ key components:

Customised guidance and financial subsidy: The SF&OC will provide personalised guidance and organise seminars for NSAs and sport organisations, offering subsidies of up to HK$100,000 for each NSA to obtain professional legal, accounting and auditing services to enhance their sports governance and integrity protocols. The Club’s Security, Integrity and Information Security Division will also provide support in hosting seminars and workshops to enhance stakeholder understanding of best practices in sports governance and integrity, and outline global examples of these practices for stakeholders and NSAs.

 Sports Corporate Governance Certificate: The HKCGI will develop and manage a localised certificate course in sports governance and integrity, based on the course created by The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland. It aims to equip NSAs and sports organisations’ board members and executives with essential governance skills. The course will incorporate the Club’s existing racing ethics, integrity and sports governance practices, with a specific focus on anti-doping and standards-setting.

Certified Graduates Network: The HKCGI will form a network for graduates of the certificate course. These trained professionals could be deployed or recruited by NSAs and assist them in implementing codes of governance and sharing ideas and best practices through regular networking events.

 Annual Integrity and Governance Symposiums: Jointly organised by the Club and HKCGI, these symposiums will engage international experts and foster networking and experience-sharing opportunities. This initiative will also showcase the Club’s thought leadership and its rich expertise and experience in integrity management in sports.

Collaboration with Governance Experts: Partnering with the ICAC, the programmes will focus on anti-bribery legislation and best practices to enhance integrity in sports governance.

Group photo.

The goal is for the two programmes to train 1,200 professionals in sports governance across all 85 NSAs recognised by the SF&OC, enhancing current expertise in the sector and ensuring best practices are integrated into the fabric of each NSA. Over the long term, the aim is to elevate operational standards and position Hong Kong as a leader in sports governance, fostering increased and sustainable investment in the sports sector.

The Club’s support for sports development and participation, like all its charity and community contributions, 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.

The TWGHs “iRun” – The Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026 (iRun) took place today (11 January) along the Central and Western District Promenade and Lung Wo Road. This year, the event, supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, saw a record turnout of over 5,500 runners of varying abilities and their pair-up partners joined the fun while promoting social inclusion.

Over 5,500 runners, including participants of varying abilities and their pair-up partners, participated in iRun 2026 to promote social inclusion within the community.

Among the officiating guests cheering on the runners were HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun, Club Steward Philip Lo and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng.

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (3rd left), Club Steward Philip Lo (3rd right) and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng (2nd left) officiate at the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Club Steward Philip Lo (centre) receives a souvenir from HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (left), accompanied by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 4th Vice-Chairman cum Chairman of Community Services Committee Jason Lee (right).

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (centre), Club Steward Philip Lo (right) and iRun ambassador So Wa-wai (left).

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Philip Lo emphasised that the significance of iRun extends beyond a single day of competition. The initiative provides diverse support to improve participants’ physical health and foster social inclusion. The Club has always placed great emphasis on the community’s needs, with “Health” being one of the strategic priorities of its Charity’s Trust. It consistently supports various organisations, including the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), to launch initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles and enhance citizens’ overall quality of life.

Club Steward Philip Lo delivers a speech at the starting ceremony of the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Organised by TWGHs and supported by the Trust since 2012, iRun aims to give people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy of sports and become more involved with the community. 

A member of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team and runner pose for a photo.

This year’s event welcomed participants not only from Hong Kong but also Beijing, Guangdong Province and Macau. Runners with intellectual disabilities were paired with volunteers in a 3km challenge race, with pre-race training sessions arranged to help pairs get to know each other. The winning teams will receive sponsorship to participate in marathons outside Hong Kong, broadening their horizons and boosting their self-esteem.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.

This year, the event once again hosted the 1km “iRun for Family”, giving children aged six to 11 with intellectual disabilities and their families the chance to enjoy sporting fun together. To further promote social inclusion, a new “1km iRun Group” race was introduced to include participants with disabilities such as visually impairment, hearing impairment or those undergoing mental rehabilitation. About 800 volunteers, including members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team, participated as pair-up runners or helpers to share the joy of running.

CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners receive the trophy for the Corporate Social Inclusion Tournament.

Additionally, the “i-Runners’ Club” provides regular training for participants under the guidance of professional coaches, while “Green Marathon” elements remain integral to the event to encourage waste reduction and recycling, and advocate for environmental awareness.

The Club’s support for iRun, 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.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.