我們需要整合策略 讓體育於香港更為普及 (We need a joined-up strategy to build on the popularity of Hong Kong)

我們需要整合策略  讓體育發展於香港更為普及

巴克萊亞洲錦標賽將再次由英格蘭超級聯賽帶來香港，並於7月上演。這項每兩年一次於亞洲不同城市輪流舉辦的盛事，對上一屆亦正是於香港舉行。同樣地，來自中國、泰國及韓國的球隊亦會雲集香江，參與農曆新年賽事。其實有不少足球中介公司經常會聯絡我，並希望可撮合一些來自世界各地的球會及國家隊來港比賽，但由於賽期緊密及設施不足等原因而未能成事。再者，香港才剛於東亞盃外圍賽中主場與澳洲、中華台北、朝鮮及關島對戰。而我們亦經常收到申辦亞洲足協不同賽事的邀請。雖然香港的世界排名較低，但仍能吸引各方興趣。

「人們希望來港」。當然，這是在不同動機的推動下，當中可能因為地理位置、商業原因、語言、文化、氣候、安全理由、作為進入可觀市場的「踏腳石」、甚至是一些特別原因如7人欖球賽及巴克萊亞洲錦標賽!但不論他們的原因為何，不少人就是想來。他們來港不但能大大帶動消費，更能讓社會受惠。運動盛事絕對可以成為一種催化劑以剌激經濟活動，而這亦應屬於整體策略的一部分。

對遊客而言，香港有一流的基礎設施、交通運輸、通信及住宿。不用多說，體育設施亦應反映此等質素。香港大球場肯定是一個標誌性的建設，於滿座時更可營做出一個很好的氣氛，然而，長年累月的損耗及缺乏足夠設施已不足以滿足一流運動員及演藝人的要求。

取而代之的將是一個更新更大、興建於啟德的體育場館，足總100％支持這個期待已久的計劃。若香港要繼續吸引頂級的體育賽事，並不讓其他地區的對手過頭，如新加坡（他們新的體育場館正在興建中），就必需加快發展步伐。另外，香港亦必須將更多資源投放於其他體育基建設施，使香港有能力舉辦更大型的體育盛事。

觀眾的熱血激情絕對是各方體育賽事為何鍾情於香港舉辦的原因之一。香港本地的球迷亦值得使用更佳的設施，因為他們正是讓這個地方變得吸引的原因。我呼籲大家繼續支持體育賽事，而我期待著看到更多球迷入場支持香港的甲組聯賽、盃賽、賀歲盃、3月港隊主場對戰越南，當然不少得7月舉行的巴克萊亞洲錦標賽。

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We need a joined-up strategy to build on the popularity of Hong Kong

It’s official, the Barclays English Premier League will be bringing the Barclays Asia Trophy 2013 to Hong Kong in July. This event happens every two years and usually rotates around various cities in Asia and yet it was held here in 2011. Similarly, teams from mainland China, Thailand and Korea will be here for the Chinese New Year Tournament. I am regularly contacted by football agents looking to bring Club and National Teams from literally all over the world to play in Hong Kong. Mostly it is impossible to accommodate these requests because of fixture congestion, availability of facilities etc. Furthermore, Hong Kong recently played host to teams from Australia, Chinese Taipei, North Korea and Guam in the EAFF Tournament. We are often asked to apply to host various AFC competitions. All of this interest, despite our lowly FIFA Ranking.

People want to come to Hong Kong. Of course, their motivations vary widely; some because of the geography, some the commerce, some the language, some the culture, some the climate, some the security, some the ‘gateway’ to other lucrative markets and some for specific reasons such as the Rugby 7s or the BAT! It doesn’t matter why they want to come – the point is that they just do. When people come to Hong Kong they spend money, it boosts the economy and creates multipliers that trickle down into the community. Sport can be the catalyst for this upsurge in economic activity and should be part of a cohesive strategy.

Hong Kong has great infrastructure for visitors, the transportation, communications and accommodation are all first class. It goes without saying therefore that the sports infrastructure needs to reflect that quality. The Hong Kong Stadium is certainly iconic and creates a great atmosphere when full, but it is ageing and lacks the amenities that top class sports people and entertainers require.

The plans to replace it with a new larger stadium at Kai Tak are long overdue and the HKFA backs the proposals 100%. If Hong Kong is going to continue to attract top class sporting events and not lose ground to rival destinations such as Singapore (their new Sports Hub is under construction), this development needs to gather pace. Further investment is also needed in the other sports facilities in Hong Kong so that larger events can be catered for as well.

One of the reasons why sports events like to come to Hong Kong is the enthusiasm and passion of the spectators. The local fans of Hong Kong sport deserve better facilities too. It is them that make the place attractive in the first place. I urge people to continue to support sports events and I look forward to seeing as many people as possible at our 1^st Division matches, Cup competitions, the Chinese New Year Tournament, our home match against Vietnam in March and of course the BAT in July.