Friday 8 February 2013

港隊與球會之間的平衡論
The Perennial Club V Country debate


港隊與球會之間的平衡論
當我踏足香港,不少媒體爭相報道有關香港代表隊與球會之間的言論。對於個人而言,我絕不感覺驚訝,畢竟這是一個涉及全球性的議題,在每一個球季中,每一個國家同樣發生和面對。
從客觀的角度而言,兩者之間的問題是顯而易見的。誠然,各大球會都會為旗下球員回國效力而感到憂慮,尤其在一些友誼賽或國際級別大賽進行時,球員或因需要參加額外操練或頻密比賽而出現疲憊,甚至受傷,這是人之常情,皆因球會需要為所屬球員履行合約精神時,他們同樣希望球員在本土聯賽或各項盃賽中,以最佳狀態為球會披掛上陣,爭取佳績!同樣地,香港代表隊亦盼望透過高水準的比賽中,將球員的精湛球技、球隊戰術以至團隊默契發揮得淋漓盡致,務求在國際賽事中寫下輝煌,提升香港代表隊的國際排名,從而建立領隊及教練團隊間的個人聲望,這是毋庸置疑的事!因此,球會與代表隊之間看似各走極端,勢不兩立,然而兩者其實可以共存,當兩者之間互有默契,他們所得的甚或比預期的更多。
基於上述情況,「鳳凰計劃」由此衍生而來,在不斷提升港隊表現時,亦直接增強了甲組聯賽的競爭及可觀性;因此,在避免不影響及導致球員受傷的情況下,足總正嘗試讓金判坤教練及其團隊走入球隊為旗下球員加操,當然如何在不影響球隊的正常運作下取得平衡,這不是一件容易的事。猶幸獲得球隊的諒解及配合,這種模式正朝著理想方向前進,金教練十分感謝球隊的支持。當然,在溝通過程中亦難免出現一些意見分歧,例如備戰國際賽作客賽事時,適逢與本地聯賽及盃賽撞期,這便意味著我們不能生存於完美國度中。
在其他國家中,他們可能會將本土賽事延期或重新安排比賽於稍後日程上,但唯獨香港不能東施效顰,由於球會本身沒有自己的主場,而球場本身亦時常出現「額滿」情況,加上很少球場具備完善的泛光燈設施,因此安排賽事在周中進行是不切實際的。雖然足總旗下的競賽部已十分專業,並嘗試鋪天蓋地去迎合市民需要,但有時於所有人眼中亦不能做到盡善盡美。
在各項因素的衝擊下,這個持久的難題將與香港足球業界人士不可分割,包括球員、教練、球會、球迷、傳媒等等,因此大家必須通力合作,共同尋求出路;縱使在困難重重的環境下,大家必須放下成見,做到互讓互諒,同心協力為香港足球的未來而 努力。
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The Perennial Club V Country debate
There has been quite a lot of press coverage since I came to Hong Kong about the Club V Country issue. This doesn’t surprise me because I am sure it is a universal issue, occurring in virtually every country during every football season.
From an objective perspective it is easy to see and understand the two sides of the story. Of course Clubs are worried about releasing players for extra training or for additional matches whether they be friendlies or competitive. This is only natural; at the end of the day it is the Club that pays the wages and the Club that wants to have all of its players fit and available for its own training and for important league and cup competitions. We can all understand that. Equally those involved in the National Teams want maximum access to players to hone their skills, work on team tactics, establish a rapport and prepare them for important and high profile matches. After all, National Team Managers and Coaches are judged on their results to the extent that their jobs and reputations are on the line. And so the two positions can be polarized and seemingly mutually exclusive. But like any partnership or marriage there is a symbiotic relationship. When the two parties are getting on well, both can achieve more than they could on their own.
Project Phoenix is attempting to do just that; improving the performance of the representative teams whilst simultaneously strengthening the 1st Division. So we are trying to give Coach KIM and his team additional access to Club players for training whilst also making sure that players do not get fatigued and run the risk of injury. It is a difficult balance to achieve. In actual fact and contrary to recent media reports, this is working quite well and the Clubs are doing what they can to be understanding, and to make players available and KIM and his team appreciate the needs of the Clubs. Of course there are occasions when it is less easy to reconcile the differences, like for example when preparation for an away international match clashes with a Club fixture list involving both league and cup competitions. We don’t live in a perfect world.
In other countries it is often possible to postpone Club matches and rearrange them for a later date but in Hong Kong this is very difficult. Clubs don’t own their own grounds and pitches are always heavily booked by other people. Furthermore many grounds are not equipped with floodlights and so midweek games are out of the question. We have a fantastic and totally professional Competitions Department at the HKFA. They move heaven and earth to accommodate people’s needs but sometimes it is literally impossible to keep all of the people happy all of the time. 
And so these factors exacerbate what is a perennial problem which is why all people involved in football in Hong Kong; players, coaches, owners, fans, media etc must be mutually understanding and continue to look for ways to work together. It seems to me that in Hong Kong we have a tendency to beat each other up about an issue (I mean metaphorically rather than literally) when actually we should be congratulating ourselves that things work as well as they do, often in difficult circumstances.  

17 comments:

  1. Dear Mark,

    After the heroically survival in Tashkent, it is a very important match for Hong Kong against Vietnam at home on 3.22. Godfred Karikari has returned to his club (Henan Jianye) in Mainland China in these few days. Will HKFA contact him to return on 3.22? Also, HK fans are happy to hear that Wisdom Fofo Agbo and Festus Baise applying for the HKSAR passports. Is it possible for HKFA to urge the Immigration Department to issue them the passports ASAP? This may be the crucial factor to beat the stronger sides (UAE, Uzbek) and bring our team to 2015 Asian Cup!

    In my opinion, all the 3 home games of Asian Cup Qualifications should be held in Mongkok Stadium with full house and great support from ultras. It is necessary to plan the schedule of 13/14 season carefully that club matches should be avoided 5~7 days before the ACQ matches. It will be good to see HKFA arrange international friendlies (e.g. with Thailand, Qatar, Jordan) for preparation of the ACQs in Oct & Nov 2013 and Mar 2014. Road to Australia, hope our dream come true!

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  2. Hi there, I am sorry you didn't leave your name so I don't know who I am responding to. Thanks for your comment.
    I agree, the performance in Uzbekistan was heroic and magnificent. I wish the Hong Kong media had given the match more prominence. When there is bad news the media is all over us like a rash, when there is good news it largely goes unsung. I guess its the same everywhere, good news doesn't sell newspapers like bad news does. To put this in context, Uzbekistan is over 100 places above Hong Kong in the current FIFA rankings. They are ranked 4th in Asia, Hong Kong is ranked 29th. To secure a draw away, in zero degrees with a hostile crowd and with less than ideal preparation is an unbelievable effort and bodes well for the future. In a short time, Coach Kim has got the team well organised and motivated and as importantly has instilled a 'never say die' attitude.
    We will do whatever we can to prepare for the next important match against Vietnam. That won't be an easy match because they are a very strong side that demands respect. We always try to ensure our best team is available and that often means communicating with the Immigration Department. This time will be no exception.
    We will hold the matches at the Mong Kok Stadium and I urge as many spectators to come along and cheer for the team. I really believe that we are gathering momentum now and support from the fans and the media is critical to our continued success.
    I can also confirm that we are in discussion with agents regarding organising a number of friendly matches to help our preparation and we are already 'modelling' the fixtures for next season as well as liaising with LCSD to see how best to accommodate all of the competing demands for matches.
    We have a plan for the national team now and I can guarantee that Coach Kim, his team of coaches and the players will all give 100% for Hong Kong.
    With everybody's help and support, I am sure we can make it to the finals, now wouldn't that be something to cheer about?
    Regards
    Mark

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  3. Hi, Mark

    As far as I know some players who are of foreign nationalities (e.g. Sean Tse, Jonathan Sealy, Festus Baise, Michael Champion) are applying for HKSAR passport in order to join the Representative Team, and such applications are expected to happen in the years to come.

    I wonder whether there is any improvement HKFA has got from our Immigration Department on shortening their year-long procedures, say, by prioritizing applications from those people identified by HKFA as would-be players in the representative teams.

    Expatriate players are currently required to have stayed in Hong Kong for 7 years before they are eligible for naturalization. It is rather long, compared with other countries (Singapore requires such stay of 2 years only). Will HKFA seek agreement from our government that elite footballers in HKFA’s recommendation list (an annual quota can be set, say, 5 applications per year) can apply for naturalization with a stay of 4 or 5 years in Hong Kong?

    Last but not least, will HKFA consider establishing a consultative group which is formed local soccer fans and under your chairmanship? I believe many fans, whose expertise gained from their careers is useful to local soccer development, would like to make some contribution to HKFA as community service. This group just fulfils a consultative role and doesn’t carry any decision-making function. Its membership can be limited to 20-30 people and members can be selected in interviews with HKFA BoD. The group will meet on monthly or bi-monthly basis.


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  4. Dear Desmond,
    The issue of eligibility is a complicated one and actually Hong Kong is at a disadvantage compared to most other Countries. You mention Singapore for example - a foreign player simply has to reside there for a certain period of time and then they qualify for dual nationality and then they are eligible to play for the national team (provided that they haven't played for another Country at senior level). The same does not apply in Hong Kong because it is a SAR, the concept of dual nationality doesn't exist in the same way. Therefore players have to rescind their original nationality and apply for a Hong Kong passport. As you can imagine, this is quite a big step for some people. So unlike other countries, we have ex-pat people who were born here or their parents were born here and/or have lived here most of their lives and they are still not eligible to play for Hong Kong. So it is not a level playing field. Project Phoenix highlighted the case of the Philippines who have improved their ranking exponentially by targetting foreigners who can quickly achieve eligibility, for example because one of their parents was born there.
    The situation is rather complicated and to change things will require cooperation of the Government and FIFA. This is something that we are looking into at the moment. In the meantime, we do try and speed up the process by communicating with the Immigration Department on behalf of players who want to take this step.
    Regarding your other point, I have been thinking about how to engage more directly with fans (this blog is part of that process). A fans forum is a good idea and I will talk to the Directors about it. Can I ask you a question; how would we make sure that it was 1. representative of fans across Hong Kong and 2. that it had a positive focus? I look forward to hearing your views as well as others.
    Kung Hei Fat Choi.
    Regards
    Mark

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  5. Hi Mark,

    That's not an easy matter as the discussions started long time ago and until these days clubs and countries are still debating. That's why FIFA released the "FIFA Club Protection Programme" that aims to provide compensation for football clubs in the event that
    “A” representative team football players participating for their association suffer a TTD (temporary total disablement), which lasts for more than 28 consecutive days, as a result of bodily injuries caused by an accident. Marcelo, the left-back of Real Madrid is a good example of this programme.
    Also we can't deny that players really want to represent their countries where they can have better quality matches against strong sides and players. That's good for the club as well as it would become a potential source of income (marketing, players tranfers)and a good way to improve their players' game. Few years ago in Brazil it was accorded between clubs and the National Team that selected players won't work too hard on physical sessions and would prioritize the technical and tactical aspects of the game (which is much better as usually Nationals Teams don't have enough time to work together and they can keep fit on their clubs).

    Mark, just for information, did the HKFA start to interview the candidates to the Futsal Manager vacancy or should it start after the CNY?

    Thanks

    Bruno Cannavan

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    Replies
    1. Dear Bruno,
      We will of course follow AFC/FIFA Statutes and policies in relation to our Club v Country debate and deliberations. I think there is a good framework there.
      Our Coaches tell me that some of the players here are not as fit as in other countries due to the lack of training opportunities. I am in the process of identifying ways of verifying this through discussions with some of the UNiversities regarding a physical testing and benchmarking programme. Once we have this information, we will be able to see which areas our coaches need to focus on.
      Regards
      Mark

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  6. Hi, Mark

    Your blog is a first step forward in terms of active communication with the general public. However, it should not be limited to this, as you may have found very few people willing to comment in writing, especially not in their mother tongue after hectic schedules of work in day time. Thus, a fans forum seems a further constructive move.

    The fans forum can be set up by HKFA’s invitation through promotion on the Web and NOW sports channel. If any HK (permanent) resident can register at HKFA as a forum member, this will result in a broad fan base in time and will surely pose no question to its representativeness. Moreover, opinions gathered from this fans forum (by means of meetings or questionanires, online or paper) may be presented to the Government or other authorities as supportive evidence.

    However, a standing committee is also necessary:
    1) partly because it is unrealistic to discuss matters (at least for some topics) in a way that a large crowd of members are present in a meeting. Even in some situation when all members’ opinions are needed, this can be resolved by means of voting and questionnaire to be done online or conventionally.

    2) mainly because some members of the fans forum with their particular background and expertise (e.g. I.T., advertising and publicity, education and training) can share their suggestion more actively with you about ways of improving different areas of local football. Especially those who work at middle-management positions may give more contribution.

    Once the fans forum has been established, interested members can run for election into the advisory committee. The formation by election can ensure the representativeness of the committee. The fans forum and the advisory committee have a positive focus in common: to help HKFA implement Project Phoenix, or rather, help rejuvenate local football at all levels ranging from grassroots to professional. HKFA and footballs are on the same boat, as we don’t want Project Phoenix fall through. Therefore, I believe both the fans forum and the advisory committee can take an auxiliary role when HKFA is faced with challenges such as:

    How to increase match audience?
    How to keep existing footballers in the profession?
    How to ensure youngsters with talents in football be able to enjoy football training as well as formal schooling up to tertiary level?
    How HKFA can generate more revenue?
    How to make TKO Training Centre sustainable?
    How to seek government approval of (limited) gambling on domestic football?

    Hope the above information be useful to you. Above all, wishing you and HKFA every success in your efforts made to implement Project Phoenix!


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    Replies
    1. Dear Desmond,
      Sorry for not replying sooner but I have been away attending the AFC/Interpol Conference on match-manipulation. I think your ideas are good regarding the fans forum and advisory body. I will give this further thought and present a report to the HKFA Board. It will need their approval.
      I appreciate he thought and attention you have paid to this important matter. Please keep the ideas coming.
      Regards
      Mark

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    2. Dear Desmond and Mark,

      I hope Mark will honour his word in submitting a report regarding the forum and advisory body to the HKFA Board. Could Mark please provide a date and time when the report will be submitted and when will there be a result? I hope one day the HKFA will listen to the public and provide the platforms for us Hong Kong Football fans to help. Mark, I am still waiting for my invitation for tea.

      Herman

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  7. Dear Mark,

    http://www.spin.ph/sports/football/news/azkals-looking-to-play-hong-kong-in-home-friendly

    Philippines national team would like to play a friendly match with us for preparing AFC Challenge Cup qualification on March 22-26. I think it is necessary to take it seriously as HK team should also prepare for the match vs Vietnam that we have chance to win the ACQ game.

    Philippines is emerging country of Asian football, they tied with the strong side Bahrain away and they reached semi-finals in Suzuki Cup 2010 & 2012 and AFC Challenge Cup 2012. So, they are the best option for our training rather than arranging friendly against Sun Pegasus only. I think the friendly can be played in Mongkok Stadium as we all know that it is not possible to play in Manila due to the hostage crisis in 2010. Please consider it.

    Regards,
    Dennis

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    Replies
    1. Dear Dennis,
      I agree with what you say about the Philippines. They are doing many good things and there are lessons that we can learn from how they have improved their performance and ranking. Unfortunately, there are a number of problems in organising a match against them on the 6th March. This is not a FIFA International match day and although we can arrange matches on other dates, we have two of our teams playing in AFC Cup matches as well as full league and club schedules either weekend before and after. There is also a problem with venue availability. Despite this, a number of the Clubs were supportive but logistically it has not been possible to arrange. We are in discussion with the Philippines about other dates and they are definitely on our 'wish list'.
      Regards
      Mark

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  8. Dear Mark,
    Fans are glad to hear that HK rep team has drawn Uzbek. Unfortunately, the top management of HKFA failed to express the appreciation. Bearing in mind that a few hundred dollars of reward could not win the loyalty and respect of being HK rep team. It is a good news in 2013 that HK has jumped up to 156 at FIFA ranking. Please keep up and take the chance to beat Vietnam.
    Regards
    Clement

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  9. Dear Clement,
    The HKFA is reviewing the bonus system and an announcement will be made soon. I can't give details yet, but the new system will take into account the quality of the opposition, whether the match is home or away, whether it is a friendly or competitive match etc. It will be fairer and objective and allow players to gain more reward for their great eforts.
    As I have said in this blog, the result in Uzbekistan was extraordinary.
    It has raised expectations for the match against Vietnam and I am hoping for a good crowd to cheer on the team to another good result.
    Regards
    Mark

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  10. Hello Mark and Desmond,

    Remember the Viceroy Cup in the early 90's? South China vs. Eastern? The stadium was full!

    Now how might we renew the public's passion for Hong Kong football?

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  11. Dear ChinWonder,
    I don't remember the Viceroy Cup in the early 90's because I wasn't here but of course I have heard all about the 'glory days' of Hong Kong Football.
    How to renew the public passion for Hong Kong Football is the 64m$ question. I believe there is no one simple answer. We need to simultaneously address a number of linked weaknesses. We need a better professional league, with a more entertaining and higher quality of football. That doesn't happen over night because the decline has been a long slow process. It needs investment in player development, particularly at the grassroots. It needs better facilities, better refereeing, better coach education etc etc. The list goes on. In turn a more professional league will provide more and better players for the Hong Kong teams. Success in international football will also help to drive up interest.
    It is also important that football in Hong Kong is seen to uphold the highest standards of integrity. The sport must be as 'clean' as it possibly can be. Fans do not want to watch matches that have been 'manipulated' in any way. As we plan the new league, we will be working hard on this aspect.
    So what I am saying is that we need a long term integrated strategy for renewing passion in Hong Kong football.
    I urge people who love football to get involved in bringing about this transformation and above all to be patient.
    Regards
    Mark

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  12. You got 2 comments on this blog and 2 comments on facebook at the moment for "The Ugly Side of the Beautiful Game". Don't know how you got 44 likes on this post in facebook, gotta check out who pressed those buttons. However, you still got comments coming in "The Perennial Club V Country debate". But the most meaningful posts in January are all but forgotten. This is just a simple count and it already illustrates the lack of PR effort in reaching out to the public on important issues. In one of your comments, you replied in HOPING a big crowd turnout to support the HK Rep. Don't HOPE, do something about it. Promote! Market! Rally! Reach out!

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