The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) and the Yao Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen collaboration in the promotion of basketball and the development of youth sports. The partnership aims to support the national strategy of building the country into a sports powerhouse, contributing to the high-quality development of the sports industry.
Guests at the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between The Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Yao Foundation.
The signing ceremony took place on 7 December at the Club’s Sha Tin Clubhouse between Yao Ming, Chairman of the Yao Foundation, and Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the Club. Under the MoU, both parties will explore joint initiatives and exchange activities to strengthen basketball promotion and youth sports development.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the Jockey Club, said the Club believes in the power of sport to change lives and has long supported sports development at every level, “Basketball is one of Hong Kong’s most popular team sports and a key focus of the Club’s sports development strategy. The Club shares the same vision with the Yao Foundation and we look forward to collaborating with it to further develop basketball in the community in support of the physical and mental well-being of young people and to strengthen social cohesion.”
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (right), Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Yao Ming (left), Chairman of the Yao Foundation sign a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the promotion of basketball and youth sports development.
Yao Ming, Chairman of the Yao Foundation, said the Yao Foundation is guided by the philosophy of “educating through sports” and is committed to supporting education and promoting the healthy development of young people. With the sports development of young people being a focus for The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the visions of both organisations are highly aligned. He hoped that both organisations would join hands to explore cooperative projects to strengthen the promotion of basketball and youth sports development in order to empower young people to enjoy the fun of sports for all-round growth.
As a world-class sports and entertainment organisation with a strong commitment to the nation and to Hong Kong, the Club actively supports national and local sports development at both community and elite levels. These efforts reflect the Club’s purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of society. The Club is expanding its support for sports development further, pledging HK$3 billion over the next three years.
Before the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (left), Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Yao Ming (right), Chairman of the Yao Foundation engaged in a sharing and exchange session. Both expressed their shared commitment to further developing basketball in the community.
In support of basketball development, the Club’s Charities Trust has committed over HK$70 million to the Jockey Club Believe & Bounce Basketball Programme with the aim of making basketball more accessible for students and underprivileged groups. With 3 on 3 basketball now a medal event at the Olympic and Asian Games, the Club has also supported the Hong Kong Police Force to organise the Junior Police Call Anti-Narcotics and Fight Crime 3x3 Basketball Training Programme, supporting this game’s development among young people.
Other past 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, as well as 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.
One City; Two Passions. This April, a landmark partnership between The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) and the Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) will unite Hong Kong’s two greatest sporting passions – horse racing and rugby – for the very first time, showcasing our city’s world-class sport and entertainment and strong community spirit.
Racing and rugby, two iconic sports, have been rooted in Hong Kong for over 100 years. Their success on the international stage has brought pride to our city and attracted fans and tourists from all over the world. “Racing with Rugby” offers the unique opportunity to experience Hong Kong’s two world-class sports in one epic celebration, reinforcing our city’s position as Asia’s events capital.
Racing with Rugby” – Jockey Club celebrates Hong Kong’s two iconic sports.
Tailor-made ticket packages are available at Klook for“Racing with Rugby” experiences at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley racecourses. Ticketing details: https://www.klook.com/zh-HK/activity/97423-cathay-pacific-hsbc-hong-kong-sevens/?spm=LanguageCurrencySelectionPopup.SelectLanguage&clickId=f030ea73d9 (choose “Combo deals” under Package options)
“Racing with Rugby” highlights include:
Launch of “Racing with Rugby” and Announcement of the Hong Kong China Rugby Sevens Team (Sha Tin Racecourse, Sunday 12 April). “Racing with Rugby” will be launched at a special ceremony in the Parade Ring at Sha Tin Racecourse. A highlight will be the announcement of the line up for the Hong Kong China Men’s and Women’s Rugby Sevens teams. This will be followed by a thrilling day of horse racing and entertainment, with opportunities to meet and greet rugby stars. Book a “Genso Fudo Town package offer” (while stocks last) to meet the Hong Kong China Rugby players and to join interactive games for a chance to win a special edition signed horse plush! Booking website: https://bit.ly/4d6S4Jw
Rugby-themed Happy Wednesday (Happy Valley Racecourse, Wednesday 15 April). For the first time, Happy Wednesday’s legendary race night party will celebrate rugby week, coinciding with the HKFC 10s, the world’s premier ten-a-side competition held at HKFC in Happy Valley from 14 - 16 April. Sports fans will be able to enjoy a day of top-class rugby before heading over to the racecourse for Hong Kong’s world-famous night races in the heart of the city. Famous singer Jason Donovan and music group BABBA will bring spectacular racecourse entertainment.
Pre-sale of Team Hong Kong, China jerseys and rugby-themed merchandise. Ahead of the Hong Kong Sevens, racing and rugby fans will be able to purchase Hong Kong, China jerseys and rugby merchandise at specific locations in Sha Tin Racecourse on 12 April and Happy Valley Racecourse on 15 April (while stocks last).
Community engagement. Building on its long-running role as the Official Community Partner of the Hong Kong Sevens, the HKJC is extending this commitment to the HKFC 10s this year. The HKJC Volunteer Team will host a booth in the fan village of the Hong Kong Sevens (17-19 April) at Kai Tak Stadium and at the HKFC 10s (14–16 April) at the Hong Kong Football Club, offering sports and interactive activities. The HKJC has expanded its booth at the Hong Kong Sevens this year, where its Volunteer Team will deliver live band performances on stage. As always, the HKJC is supporting outreach programmes and youth rugby competitions and providing tickets to students, the elderly and the underprivileged so they can experience the thrill of rugby both on and off the pitch.
For more event information, please visit the Club’s website and Instagram pages.
- Racecourse Events: https://entertainment.hkjc.com/zh-hk/index
- Happy Wednesday: https://happywednesday.hkjc.com/zhHK/parties/S2526RacingWithRugby/
- IG @hkjcentertainment: https://www.instagram.com/HKJCEntertainment
- IG @hkjcracingsports: https://www.instagram.com/hkjcracingsports/
- IG @hkjc_community: https://www.instagram.com/hkjc_community/
Over the years, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has promoted sports at both community and elite levels through numerous initiatives, enabling people of all ages and abilities to enjoy sports. The support for community sports, sports development and participation, 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.
