Jockey Club Congratulates Hong Kong, China Delegation on Record-Breaking Achievements at the 20th Asian Games and Awards HK$37.5 million to Medallists

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) offers its warmest congratulations to the Hong Kong, China Delegation for its success at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture, Japan, which concluded today (4 October). With a record-breaking 54 medals, including 11 gold, 19 silver and 24 bronze medals, the Hong Kong, China Delegation delivered an outstanding performance at the Games.

With a record-breaking 54 medals, including 11 gold, 19 silver and 24 bronze medals, the Hong Kong, China Delegation delivered an outstanding performance at the Games. Photo source: FB@HKJC

The Club congratulates Hong Kong, China athletes and is pleased to announce that a total of HK$37.5 million in cash incentives will be awarded to over 110 medallists through the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (JCAIAS), HK$5 million more than for the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments on Asia's biggest sporting stage.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Photo source: reference image

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Once again the Hong Kong, China Delegation showed our city’s can-do spirit with an outstanding display of skill, resilience and true sportsmanship. Our sincere congratulations to every medallist on their success, which has truly inspired us all. Sport is a key area of focus for the Club in fulfilling its purpose of acting for the betterment of society. Having invested significantly to become a global leader in the sport of horse racing, the Club has a strong focus on holistic talent development. We have supported sports development at both elite and community levels over many years, from the funding of the establishment of Hong Kong Sports Institute to helping to build the foundations for success of our top-performing athletes. We are proud to recognise the Hong Kong, China Delegation’s achievements at the 20th Asian Games through the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme.”

The Hong Kong, China Delegation achieved 11 gold medals at the 20th Asian Games. Photo source: FB@HKJC

The Hong Kong, China Delegation achieved 19 silver medals at the 20th Asian Games. Photo source: FB@HKJC

The Hong Kong, China Delegation achieved 24 bronze medals at the 20th Asian Games. Photo source: FB@HKJC

Hong Kong, China athletes achieved several historic breakthroughs at this year’s Asian Games:

• Competed in Modern Pentathlon, Padel, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Wrestling for the first time.

• The gold and silver medal tallies reached record highs, including 11 gold medals, placing Hong Kong, China among the top 10 in the Asian Games medal table.

• Secured Hong Kong, China’s first-ever medals in Wushu Sanda, Men's Team Kata and Butterfly Swimming.

• Claimed both the gold and silver medals in the Squash Mixed Doubles event for the first time.

• Won Hong Kong, China’s first-ever Men’s Singles Tennis medal, which was also the first-ever Asian Games gold medal in Tennis. The Women’s Doubles team also won a medal for the first time in 64 years.

• The Men’s Rugby Sevens team won the gold medal for the third consecutive Asian Games, achieving Hong Kong, China’s first-ever three-peat in the same event.

• Won a total of 10 medals in Sailing and Windsurfing,comprising four gold, four silver and two bronze,across both the senior competitions and youth events introduced for the first time at this Asian Games, making Sailing and Windsurfing the Delegation’s highest medal-winning sports.

The 20th Asian Games List of Awarded Athletes Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme, Photo source: HKJC

The 20th Asian Games List of Awarded Athletes Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme, Photo source: HKJC

The 20th Asian Games List of Awarded Athletes Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme, Photo source: HKJC

The 20th Asian Games List of Awarded Athletes Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme, Photo source: HKJC

In August, the Club announced a new cycle of the JCAIAS, to be implemented by the Hong Kong Sports Institute.The scheme covers seven major sporting events, beginning with the 20th Asian Games. The next will be the 5th Asian Para Games, taking place from 18-24 October.

Around 4,300 children and youths in Hong Kong are unable to live with their families due to challenging life circumstances. To support them in building positive life trajectories and brighter futures, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, through its Charities Trust, has created and funded JC Project Bonfire with a commitment of over HK$820 million. As Hong Kong’s first and largest initiative of its kind, the project supports young people receiving Residential Child Care Services through personalised support, community networks and cross-sector collaboration.

Group photo, Photo source: HKJC

Today (25 September) marked the official launch of the project and the opening of the JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. The launch ceremony was officiated by Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government; Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Nikki Ng, Convenor, JC Project Bonfire; and Lorain Lam, Chairperson, Executive Committee, The Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong Social Service.

Group photo, Photo source: HKJC

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Bernard Chan said the Club believes that children and young people, regardless of their backgrounds, should enjoy equal opportunities for development, enabling them to realise their talents and contribute to society. For this reason, “fairer opportunities” is one of the Club’s key impact areas. Through cross-sector collaboration, the Club has launched a diverse range of initiatives and expanded support networks to help people from different communities realise their potential and enhance their quality of life. JC Project Bonfire is one such initiative.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government (2nd left); Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); Nikki Ng, Convenor, JC Project Bonfire (1st left); and Lorain Lam, Chairperson, Executive Committee, The Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong Social Service (1st right), officiate at the launch ceremony of JC Project Bonfire and the opening of the JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. Photo source: HKJC

At the heart of JC Project Bonfire is the Positive Trajectory Framework, an evidence-based model that supports children and young people in five key developmental areas: health, trusted relationships, sense of purpose, social capital, and future navigation competencies. To date, 65 dedicated Trajectory Development Coordinators have each completed 150 hours of professional training, supporting 2,300 children and young people by co-creating personalised development plans, connecting them to diverse opportunities and building community support networks that foster positive life trajectories. The project has also established collaborations with more than 250 community partners.

Club Steward Bernard Chan delivers a speech at the launch ceremony of JC Project Bonfire and the opening of the JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong Photo source: HKJC

The project provides tailored support across both small group homes and foster care services. For children and youths in small group homes, the project focuses on strengthening their long term development and expanding access to opportunities and support networks. For those in foster care, support extends to both foster and biological families through programmes that promote family engagement, facilitate family reunification where appropriate, and equip young people with skills and support as they prepare for independent living.

Bernard Chan, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (1st right); Nikki Ng, Convenor, JC Project Bonfire (1st left) and two foster parents. Photo source: HKJC

A key feature of the project is the JC Bonfire Hub, which serves as a collaborative platform where children and youths, families, caregivers, professionals and community partners can connect, learn and grow together. The hub opened today in San Po Kong is the second community hub under the project, building on the success of the first in Tuen Mun. Addressing the challenges and needs faced by foster parents, it provides professional training, respite and peer support, while fostering a supportive community network and a nurturing environment for a sense of belonging. In this caring and stable environment, children and young people can grow with confidence, security and hope for the future.

Guests tour the JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. Photo source: HKJC

The Club’s support for JC Project Bonfire, like all its charity and community initiatives, is made possible by its unique value creation model, through which the Club generates sustainable economic and social value for the community through tax contributions, charitable donations and employment opportunities.

The JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. Photo source: HKJC

The JC Bonfire Hub in San Po Kong. Photo source: HKJC