Applications Open for 2026-27 Subvention Scheme Supporting New Sports Development

LCSD's Subvention Scheme for New Sports in year 2026-27 opens for application

To support the development of new sports, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) implements the Subvention Scheme for New Sports (SSNS) for application by eligible sports organisations. The SSNS for 2026-27 is now open for application, and the deadline is January 9, 2026.

The SSNS provides funding support to local sports organisations for promoting new sports on an individual project basis. Each successful applicant sports organisation will be offered a subvention not exceeding $200,000, or 85 per cent of the total eligible expenditure of an individual activity, whichever is the lower.

Sports organisations should fulfil all of the following requirements to be eligible applicants:

An applicant must be a non-profit-making organisation with Articles of Association registered as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622);

The new sport under application must be distinct from those sports/disciplines currently solely governed by national sports associations under the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China;

An applicant must be recognised by and affiliated to the international federation, Asian federation, regional federation or recognised by the General Administration of Sport of China; and

An applicant must have successful experience in organising sports development programmes of various levels and types with active public participation in the year of 2024 to 2025.

In addition, an applicant sports organisation must provide a detailed long-term development and promotion plan as well as relevant information to prove that it meets the following requirements:

Competency in the organisation and execution of programmes;

Well-established and viable governance structure;

Accountable and transparent internal policies; and

Good reputation and recognition from the local sports community.

Priority will be given to sports organisations that have not received any subvention from the SSNS or its Pilot Scheme before. If applicants have previously so received subvention, the LCSD will take into consideration their past implementation performance and results in processing the applications.

For enquiries, please contact the Sports Funding Office of the LCSD at 2601 8756 or email ssns@lcsd.gov.hk. Please visit the LCSD's website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/programmes/programmeslist/sss/ssns.html) for details.

LCSD's Subvention Scheme for New Sports in year 2026-27 opens for application Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD's Subvention Scheme for New Sports in year 2026-27 opens for application Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD's Subvention Scheme for New Sports in year 2026-27 opens for application Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD's Subvention Scheme for New Sports in year 2026-27 opens for application Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 4) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 13 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $2.6 million.

A 24-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds in his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, and he will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (December 6).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases