Jockey Club and Yao Foundation join hands to promote basketball and youth sports development

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.

The Jockey Club STK Eco Eight Recycling and Ecotourism Education Project was officially launched today (7 February). Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and organised by the Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China) Charitable Foundation, this three-year project includes the establishment of the Jockey Club STK Eco Eight Recycling and Ecotourism Education Centre.  The centre will serve as a central hub for collecting and processing recyclables from Sha Tau Kok and neighbouring villages, so helping to enhance waste management efficiency across the district.

Officiating at the launch ceremony of the Jockey Club STK Eco Eight Recycling and Ecotourism Education Project were Diane Wong, Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the HKSAR Government (5th left); Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (5th right); Professor Wong Kam-sing, Chairman of the Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China) Charitable Foundation (4th right) and other guests.

The launch ceremony was officiated by Diane Wong, Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the HKSAR Government; Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Professor Wong Kam-sing, Chairman of the Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China) Charitable Foundation; and other guests.

Club Steward Bernard Chan remarked that the project exemplifies the Club’s commitment to sustainability, one of the impact programmes of its Charities Trust.  Through cross-sector collaboration and innovative approaches, the project will pioneer a systematic recycling network to address local community needs in remote rural areas.  It is hoped that Sha Tau Kok will serve as a model for sustainable rural development, offering a reference for other rural regions in Hong Kong.

Club Steward Bernard Chan delivers a speech at the launch ceremony.

With the gradual opening of the Sha Tau Kok closed area, the region’s rich ecological resources have attracted a growing number of visitors to its seven neighbouring villages: Lai Chi Wo, Mui Tsz Lam, Kop Tong, Kuk Po, Yung Shue Au, Ap Chau and Kat O. In response to the increased waste management needs of these communities, the new centre will help enhance recycling efficiency, strengthen waste reduction education, and encourage proactive recycling to reduce overall waste generation.

In addition, more than 40 ambassadors have been trained to lead guided tours, green workshops and outreach activities, encouraging residents and visitors to protect the area’s precious natural ecology and cultural landscape. The project is expected to train 150 ambassadors and engage nearly 310,000 people in various activities over the next three years.

Guests visit booths at the Sha Tau Kok Sustainable Lunar New Year Carnival, which promotes a green lifestyle for residents and visitors.

Launched in conjunction with the project, the Sha Tau Kok Sustainable Lunar New Year Carnival engaged residents and visitors via booths and workshops highlighting local culture and sustainability to promote a green lifestyle.

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club STK Eco Eight Recycling and Ecotourism Education Project, 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.

Guests tour the Jockey Club STK Eco Eight Recycling and Ecotourism Education Centre.