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 Hong Kong Jockey Club-supported Harmonious Horse International Exhibition Tour, part of the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign, held its Tsim Sha Tsui Community Exhibition Launch Ceremony today (16 May) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza. The exhibition showcases horse sculptures created by renowned artist Simon Ma and the works are on a year-long tour of Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, symbolising unity between the Club and the community.

Horse sculptures created by renowned artist Simon Ma, are on show at the piazza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from today until 21 May.

Guests in attendance at the launch ceremony included Chris Sun, HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Winfried Engelbrecht‑Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and artist Simon Ma.

Chris Sun, HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare (3rd right); Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (3rd left); renowned artist Simon Ma (2nd right); Eric Lee, Yau Tsim Mong District Officer (1st right); Wong Kwok Hing, Commissioner of Correctional Services (2nd left) at the Harmonious Horse International Exhibition Tour Tsim Sha Tsui Community Exhibition Launch Ceremony as part of the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign.

The Tsim Sha Tsui Community Exhibition at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza runs from today until 21 May. The exhibition will then tour Tamar Park in Admiralty, as well as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and other locations. Through art and community engagement, it offers more citizens the opportunity to experience the unique charm of horse culture combined with contemporary art. The exhibition also features a nighttime horse-themed light show, highlighting the dynamic movement and power of galloping horses.

Guests joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Guests joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Guests joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Today’s launch ceremony also saw the announcement of the winners of the “Horse With You” Art Competition, launched by the Club in conjunction with Ma. A renowned interdisciplinary artist from Hong Kong, Ma is dedicated to promoting cultural and artistic exchange between East and West, with the horse serving as a significant creative symbol representing strength, unity and the spirit of heritage. As part of the Club’s 140th anniversary celebrations, thousands of young people - from kindergarten to university level – created artworks for the competition, drawing inspiration from the equine paintings of pioneering Chinese artist Xu Beihong. The competition comprised ten categories, with 30 winners or winning teams selected.

Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (7th right) presented awards to winners of the “Horse With You” Art Competition.

Almost 100 (TBC) award-winning students from the “Horse With You” Art Competition - launched by the Club in conjunction with Simon Ma – together with mentees of the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme and underprivileged students, joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

Almost 100 (TBC) award-winning students from the “Horse With You” Art Competition - launched by the Club in conjunction with Simon Ma – together with mentees of the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme and underprivileged students, joined hands to paint mini horse sculptures at the launch ceremony.

The Club’s Year of the Horse campaign is a year-long celebration of the close bond between horses and humans and the contribution racing makes to Hong Kong. It also promotes tourism as well as equine and sports development. Racing is not only the city’s favourite pastime, but also a symbol of its “can-do” spirit and stability under One Country, Two Systems. Through the success of Hong Kong horses on the international stage, the sport also brings pride to the community and global recognition to our city. None of this would be possible without the horse. For more information, please visit https://hkjc.com/YOTH.

Guests posed a group photo with winners of the “Horse With You” Art Competition.