tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25786584607570897152024-03-11T03:13:19.015+08:00CEO 的話Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-9714340564478361842018-09-28T21:23:00.000+08:002018-09-28T21:23:15.722+08:00CEO Blog - Reflections on the Last 6 Years – Part 3<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-US">The positive changes we have made over the
last few years have still not been enough for some people and unfortunately the
fragmentation of stakeholders I identified all those years ago remains an
intractable situation. People love to complain here that’s the top and bottom
of it. It’s just a sad fact of life. Even now when I talk to people here about
football they just shake their head and shrug ‘that’s Hong Kong Football for
you’ like it’s a foregone conclusion that it will always be divisive and
fractured – so sad.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">In fact it’s more than sad because it
seriously inhibits the development of football here. The reputation of the HKFA
and the perception of the sport is critical to getting stakeholder and partner
support. Nobody wants to be associated with something which is tarnished and
imploding all of the time because of internal conflict, controversy and
negativity. I firmly believe that this is the major stumbling block that needs
to be overcome if more people, particularly those from the commercial sector
are going to get involved in supporting football. Similarly the Government and
the Jockey Club (our two main funding partners) will be reluctant to continue
to fund football (even at the current level) when the agreements expire in
2020. In truth these two organisations hold the key to the success of football. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Between now and then they need to be
convinced that football is unified, that it has a cohesive and deliverable plan
beyond Aiming High and if they support it, there will be less internal strife.
The turnover from football betting was over HK$100billion last year, sizeable
chunks of which were retained by the Jockey Club and given to the Government in
tax. The HKFA receives a miniscule proportion from them in comparison even
though we are grateful for what we do receive. Much more could be achieved if
more money was committed (including improving the relationship between the HKFA
and its Member Clubs if money were allocated for Club youth development
programmes linked to the club licence) but you can’t blame them for being
reluctant to make that investment as things are at the moment. It’s a classic
chicken and egg situation. The onus is on football to be more positive and
demonstrate a unified face.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Aiming High is due to finish in March 2020
and concurrent with that the ‘time-limited’ five-year funding from the
Government will also conclude. At the end of June 2020 the five-year
partnership with the HKJC will also come to an end. Between them these two
funding programmes amount to around 50% of the total income of the HKFA. It is
critical therefore that the HKFA prepares a new strategic plan to help to
secure an on-going commitment from these two partners and others. This plan
will need to be completed one year from now to give sufficient time for these
two major stakeholders to review the proposals. Bearing in mind that in
finalizing the plan the HKFA will need to consult with all of the other football
stakeholders including its Members, clubs etc it is clear that work must
commence now on preparing the plan. The timetable for completing the plan is
also complicated by the fact that there will be elections for a new Chairman
and a number of other Directors in June 2019. It is inevitable that this
transition will lead to some hiatus in decision making.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The Government’s Mid-Term Review
highlighted a number of strengths and weaknesses. The next twelve to eighteen
months will be critical to the future of the HKFA. During that period of time
the organization must demonstrate positive steps to address the concerns of the
Government whilst at the same time making progress on the development of a new
Strategic Plan. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-US">Final Thoughts <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My time here has been overwhelmingly
positive for me professionally and personally although I firmly believe the
time is now right for me to leave and let someone else take up the reigns. I
have met some amazing people and made some fantastic friends. I will never
forget the home match against China when we drew 0-0. The atmosphere was
electric and we could have won that match. We hit the bar in the first half and
had a goal disallowed in the second. If we had won that match it would have
sent shockwaves around the world, made the players legends and maybe even
unified Hong Kong football. It would have certainly shut up the serial
detractors. Sometimes in life the margins are small. In this case the thickness
of a cross bar!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">An equally powerful and emotional moment
for me was the PL Asia Trophy 2017 when Liverpool walked into the HK Stadium bathed
in a sea of red and with 40,000 people singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. I’m
not ashamed to say that I shed a tear at that point. For me football is all
about passion.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The development of girls and women’s
football has been particularly rewarding and future investment in this area is
essential. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Of course there have been difficult and
challenging times but I always knew there would be. I’m proud that I have had
the tenacity and resilience to keep going at times when the criticism has been
constant, unjust and personal.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In terms of legacy, well I believe I leave
Hong Kong football in a better place than it was when I found it. I wrote the
plans that have led to the increased investment and I have done my best to
implement them effectively. I came to work here full time when the organization
was in chaos and turned it around. We now have more people playing football and
futsal at a higher level and in a more structured environment. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The FTC is tangible evidence of my ability
to get things done in the face of adversity. It took three feasibility studies
and a lot of persuasion to get it off the ground. I refused to take no for an
answer and now for the first time ever the HKFA has a home for its players to
train, for coaches to be educated and referees to be developed. Without me
driving the project I know it would still be a plan in a file sat on a shelf.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I
sincerely hope that Hong Kong football can one day reach its potential. There
is still a long way to go and lots of challenges to overcome. It really needs
all stakeholders to work together and that will be the hard bit, particularly
over the next twelve months. I believe I have pushed the HKFA in the right
direction and I would like to finish by thanking everyone who has supported me
and contributed to the work I have done. Good luck Hong Kong Football!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Mark Sutcliffe – soon to be former CEO <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-58186065029753341282018-09-27T11:33:00.003+08:002018-09-27T11:33:36.091+08:00CEO Blog - Reflections on the Last 6 Years – Part 2<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In yesterday’s blog I recalled the first
couple of years of my tenure and Project Phoenix. This blog brings things more
up to date with progress on the next strategy, Aiming Hing and the current
strengths and weaknesses.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">At the end of Project Phoenix there was
recognition within the Government and the Football Task Force (set up as one of
the recommendations in Dare to Dream) that it had been generally successful and
that the HKFA deserved further support. I wrote the successor plan, Aiming High
to build on the foundations of Project Phoenix and it was the catalyst for more
funding over five years from both the Government and the Jockey Club.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The plan, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Aiming High</b> covers the period April 2015 to March 2020 and includes
a number of key milestones and performance indicators. As part of the contract
with the Government there is a requirement for a mid-term review of the
strategy and the progress being made. This review was carried out by the
Government starting at the end of 2017 and a report presented to the Sports
Commission on 3<sup>rd</sup> August of this year. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Government identified a number of areas
where <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">good progress</b> has been made.
These include:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Governance and Organisational Development</span></b><span lang="EN-US">: Improvements were noted in terms of; the appointment of more
independent Directors, integrity management initiatives, additional staffing
resources and gaining the AFC Developing Member Association of the Year Award
in 2015</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Football Development</span></b><span lang="EN-US">: The Government
identified impressive performance in the following areas; grassroots and youth
development with a 40% increase in participation, girls and women’s football
(70% increase) and futsal (70% increase). Participation in these areas was
ahead of target which is very encouraging.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Football Curriculum</span></b><span lang="EN-US">: The writing,
promotion and usage of the player development toolkit was noted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Coach Development</span></b><span lang="EN-US">: The incorporation of
the curriculum into the Coach Education syllabus and the coach registration
system were identified as good practice. More coaches are being educated to a
more modern syllabus and to a higher standard</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Referee Development</span></b><span lang="EN-US">: The good work of
the Referees Department was noted in particular the increase in the number and
standard of referees appointed and trained. Prior to Project Phoenix we had
only one lower category AFC Referee and only one AFC Referee Instructor. We are
now so proud to have 5 AFC Referees and 8 AFC Assistant Referees (including
women), and 6 AFC Referees Instructors. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Football Facilities</span></b><span lang="EN-US">: The construction of
the FTC was noted as being a positive development in increasing the number of
opportunities for football training and development.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It is good that the hard work of colleagues
is recognised in these areas. A fundamental problem is that these areas are not
as high profile as the representative teams or the HK Premier League and are
therefore not covered by the media. They go ‘under the radar’ and most of the
hard work and successes barely register on social media. This is partly the
fault of the HKFA because we lack the resources (and are usually responding to
negative criticism and crises) to effectively promote all of the achievements.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kVE77N1RP4OoBEWp1C3ot2IG9VisQzBi2_-Qi7FegbfApKYmrDaAjxRS33ZGehnrrHw5JYPP9N8fuVfcfYR4rJGL58MoqJMY1wExa6pRK2xEmo4NE1V-o5G8-j5IBJyDmy9BKpZPalAx/s1600/Annex+1+Football+Training+Centre.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kVE77N1RP4OoBEWp1C3ot2IG9VisQzBi2_-Qi7FegbfApKYmrDaAjxRS33ZGehnrrHw5JYPP9N8fuVfcfYR4rJGL58MoqJMY1wExa6pRK2xEmo4NE1V-o5G8-j5IBJyDmy9BKpZPalAx/s320/Annex+1+Football+Training+Centre.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">There are still people here in Hong Kong
that despite all that has been achieved by us here at the HKFA through the
implementation of Project Phoenix and Aiming High, say that there has been no
development and improvement. They are either in denial or deluded. Or perhaps
they are being deliberately mendacious.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The truth is that the HKFA now has almost
100 staff whereas before it had less than 30. The investment in football
development is more than 6 times higher than it was before and external funding
has increased from less than HK$20m to around HK$80m. Don’t let anyone tell you
that ‘nothing has changed’. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">However, to balance things up, there are
still some <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">areas of concern</b> where
the Government would like to see more progress being made. We agree with this
and they are summarised below.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Performance of Hong Kong Representative Team</span></b><span lang="EN-US">: It was noted that the AFC and FIFA ranking of the teams had not
achieved the targets.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Hong Kong Premier League</span></b><span lang="EN-US">: It was noted
that a number of teams had failed to achieve the requisite club licence and
that the average attendance numbers have missed the target.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Communication and Relationship with Stakeholders</span></b><span lang="EN-US">: The review identified a mismatch between the good work being
undertaken by the HKFA and the public and stakeholder perception.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Reliance on Public Funding</span></b><span lang="EN-US">: The review
noted that sponsorship, advertising and broadcasting revenue was below what was
expected.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The above four areas are discussed below. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-US">Performance of HKRT</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The strategy document Aiming High suggested
that caution should be applied in using the AFC/FIFA rankings as a means of
assessing the performance of the HKRTs. This is because the method of
calculation is somewhat arbitrary and depends on a number of factors outside of
the control of the HKFA including; the performance of other countries, the draw
for tournaments, the strategy used (for example it is often better to play no
friendly matches to improve the ranking but this is not good in terms of
development) etc. In actual fact the performance of the HKRT has been
impressive at times including two draws against China in the World Cup
qualifiers and being competitive until the last match of the Asian Cup
qualifiers. Similarly it is recognised that the U23 team did well in the recent
Asian Games. Most observers, myself included, would say that the actual playing
level has and continues to improve despite the fact that the ranking position
has not hit the target. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Nevertheless the HKFA understands that it
will be judged on this measure and must do more to try to improve the ranking.
This could include:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">In conjunction with the new
Head Coach review the ‘strategy’ for obtaining ranking points e.g. the friendly
matches frequency and opposition</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Use the FTC to enhance the
training and competition of professional players</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Work more closely with the
clubs to ensure the fitness, availability and competitiveness of the players</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Improve the ‘scouting’ system
to identify players eligible to represent Hong Kong</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Enhance the training and
development of young players and monitor the performance of junior
representative teams</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-US">Hong Kong Premier League</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The HKFA has made significant investment in
the HKPL over the last five years including more marketing and promotion, the
introduction of an integrity programme (match-manipulation, drug testing etc),
higher prize money etc. One of the biggest changes has been the introduction of
the club licencing system, a formal tool to raise the professionalism of the
clubs. The club licence system has enabled teams from Hong Kong to compete at
the highest level of regional competition the AFC Champions League. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The lack of continuity of participating
clubs has made the club licencing system difficult to implement consistently.
The HKFA has increased its resources in the club licencing division and worked
much more closely with clubs in terms of education and training. The initial
indication is that all 10 clubs will pass the club licence in 2018. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Despite the concerted effort that has been
made to enhance professional football in Hong Kong, a number of problems
persist and it is clear that further work is required including:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Continuing to strengthen the
education and training in relation to the club licence</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Continuing to invest in the
integrity programme</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Working with the LCSD to
prepare a plan to enhance match-day experience</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Using AFC ‘mentoring’ programme
to prepare marketing and communications strategy</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Preparation of medium to long
term plan to restructure an ‘independent’ Premier League</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Regarding that last point, it would still
be the intention of the HKFA to establish an independent league. Indeed we
tried to do so a few years ago as part of Project Phoenix. To be honest the
clubs were not interested or capable of ‘leaving the nest’ especially when they
found out that the HKFA subsidises the league to the tune of around HK$5m per
annum. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-US">Communication and Relationship with
Stakeholders</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As stated above, it is probably fair
criticism that the HKFA has not done enough to promote the good work is has and
continues to do in football development, coach education, referee development
etc. There are some mitigating factors however including:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 38.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Lack of resources and high
turnover of staff in marketing and communication</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 38.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Necessary emphasis on ‘crisis
management’ rather than following a specific strategy</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 38.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Media and stakeholder
preoccupation with HKRT and HKPL</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 38.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It is important that these mitigating
factors are managed and controlled and that a more concerted and continuous
effort is made to enhance communication. Actions should include:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 38.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Preparation and implementation
of Marketing and Communications Plan</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 38.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Internal training for frontline
staff in Competitions and Technical to focus on the need to generate positive
publicity for their activities and programmes</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Issuing weekly media updates</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">More effective use of social
media</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 38.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 38.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Reinstating the quarterly media
briefings</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 38.4pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-US">Reliance on Public Funding</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It is true to say that the bulk of external
funding for the HKFA comes from the Government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The commercial ‘sale’ of advertising, sponsorship and broadcasting has proven
to be difficult to obtain. There are a number of reasons for this:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">The reputation of the HKFA and
football in Hong Kong generally is not positive caused by seemingly
never-ending criticism and in-fighting which makes commercial investors
reluctant to become involved</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Low attendances at local
matches which reduces the potential for a return on investment</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">There is actually a lack of
‘inventory’ to sell because activities and programmes are already supported by
existing partners</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Solving this problem will not be easy and
as I pointed out to the Football Task Force it will be essential for public
sector funding to continue after 2020 if football development in Hong Kong is
going to continue to improve and expand. However it is appreciated that the
HKFA must do more to attract commercial revenue. To some extent the actions
identified above in relation to improving the performance of the HKRT,
enhancing the HKPL and developing better relationships with stakeholders will
all have a positive impact on the ability to generate funding. More interest in
the sport, more spectators, a better reputation, less conflict and controversy
etc will all help. In addition to this the HKFA will need to:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Review the commercial
‘inventory’ and identify activities, programmes, products, services and assets
with commercial value</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Prepare a plan that matches the
inventory to particular market segments and partners</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Consider the appointment of a
‘Commercial’ Manager or outside agency to focus on selling</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I hope in today’s blog I have given a
balanced picture of the current state of play of football in Hong Kong.
Tomorrow I will give some final thoughts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-74832438940099119702018-09-26T15:39:00.001+08:002018-09-26T15:39:39.671+08:00CEO Blog - Reflections on the Last 6 Years – Part 1<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
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<br />
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<span lang="EN-US">As I mentioned in my last blog I’m leaving
my position as CEO of the HKFA at the end of September. Now is a good time to
look back.</span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In fact I’d like to start even before my
tenure started at the HKFA. I first got involved in Hong Kong Football back in
2009 when the Government commissioned the company I worked for to write a
Football Development Strategy. It was a dream assignment for me to come to a
place I had only visited briefly before. What struck me immediately was the
passion for football but also the myriad of challenges facing the sport. There
was huge lack of quality accessible facilities and the main stakeholders seemed
very fragmented and disconnected. In short there were lots of difficulties to
overcome. </span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">One of the most pressing was the fact that despite
the best intentions of some good members of staff, the HKFA was dysfunctional,
had no direction, was under-resourced and probably bankrupt. I say probably bankrupt
because nobody really knew; the Association hadn’t prepared annual financial
returns for 4 years. It was in no fit shape to govern or lead football in Hong
Kong. So we should not forget that that was the starting point. </span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">One of the recommendations I wrote in Dare
to Dream was that the HKFA needed total transformation. It was run by the clubs
for the benefit of the clubs with very little time, effort or money being spent
on football development. The governance was acknowledged to be poor and the strategic
management of the organisation left a lot to be desired. The Government agreed
with this assessment and I was then retained to prepare the transformation plan
for the HKFA which became Project Phoenix. This plan included 33
recommendations and was sub-titled Develop – Deliver which meant that the HKFA
had to become ‘fit for purpose’ in terms of governance, management and </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">organisation</span><span lang="EN-US">
before it could enhance football development activities. </span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">At the same time I also prepared a
feasibility study for a football training centre, a vital facility that
everyone seemed to have given up on. It had gone into the box marked ‘too
difficult to deal with’.</span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So even before I became CEO I was
responsible for preparing a blueprint for the future of football in Hong Kong. Having
provided the framework for football in Hong Kong I happily returned to the UK
and started work on other projects. The Legislative Council and the HKFA
Assembly approved the report recommendations and Project Phoenix came to life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The next thing that happened was that I
received a phone call from a head-hunter out of the blue. Apparently Project
Phoenix had got off to a disastrous start and far from getting better, the HKFA
was in crisis. I was asked if I wanted to come back to Hong Kong to work full
time to revitalize the plan and implement my recommendations. </span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">When I arrived I found an organization in
turmoil, crisis was an understatement! It was hard work getting things back on
an even keel especially because not everyone was ‘on board’. There was mighty
resistance from some quarters, mainly the professional clubs who wanted a share
of the extra money, even though that was never part of the plan. It was a
baptism of fire for me and in my first few months I had to negotiate an exit
route for the Head Coach, deal with the wholesale resignation of the
Disciplinary Committee as well as other crises that I don’t even care to
remember.</span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I built a professional team around me
including all of the support services that were so lacking before including
Head of Corporate Development, HR Manager, Financial Controller, IT Manager,
Internal Control, Marketing and Communications Manager etc etc. It is
incredible to think how the HKFA managed before these people or maybe that’s
the point, it didn’t manage before, it barely existed. Together we put in place
proper systems, procedure, processes and controls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Once we had ‘developed’ it was time to
deliver and new front line staff were added including a Women’s Football
Manager, Referees Manager, Coach Education Manager, Academy Manager and Special
Projects Manager to help me deliver a new Premier League and the FTC. People
complained that most of the Project Phoenix money went on staff but without
this expertise it would have been impossible to improve and grow football
development activities. We needed to get the basics right first.</span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">To cut a long story short Project Phoenix
came to an end in October 2014 and most of the recommendations had been either
fully implemented or on-going. We had integrated the previously separate Ladies
Football Association, changed the constitution, modified the make-up of the
Board and got to grips with the management issues including preparing the
financial statements. Negotiations for the FTC were underway. </span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The new HKPL had started with a new title
sponsor, four times the prize money, club licence system, match-manipulation
monitoring, more innovative match-day organization and other positive changes.</span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">At the same time the new Head Coach and
Technical Director was improving the representative team and preparing for
World Cup qualifiers.</span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Despite all of these positive changes there
were still crises to deal with. The most disappointing and embarrassing thing
about this period of time was the 2013 Barclays Asia Trophy which had become a
farce because of a quagmire of a pitch.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US">Looking back I am proud that I came into an
organization in crisis, built a team, delivered a new league, persuaded
partners to help us deliver the FTC and a host of other achievements in
completing the project. And let’s not forget that all of that was achieved in
two years from a stumbling start. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US">Tomorrow I will reflect more on the progress Hong Kong football had been made so far. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIevEsL5CWIkfa7cdlzbIifBnI6kcY3SxY9UutEDBJD4On6MwKzInTwHmAR1gd5vBhDTbACC5tzMSLNUBa5T-f8N8WIzGJKh1n-UM0gLOAvuTM0ovc8oAw0euHP1Cmacedgwwa-WA7XUL/s1600/FINAL+-+HKFA+Change+Agent+Recommendations+-+Project+Phoenix+-+REPORT+%2528compressed%2529+24+02+11+copy+copy-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIevEsL5CWIkfa7cdlzbIifBnI6kcY3SxY9UutEDBJD4On6MwKzInTwHmAR1gd5vBhDTbACC5tzMSLNUBa5T-f8N8WIzGJKh1n-UM0gLOAvuTM0ovc8oAw0euHP1Cmacedgwwa-WA7XUL/s320/FINAL+-+HKFA+Change+Agent+Recommendations+-+Project+Phoenix+-+REPORT+%2528compressed%2529+24+02+11+copy+copy-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-91896422095175602772018-09-04T19:39:00.001+08:002018-09-04T19:43:20.699+08:00I’m Leaving the HKFA<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">After six years as CEO of the HKFA it’s
time for me to say ‘goodbye’. My first contract was concluded in November 2014 a
month after Project Phoenix had been completed. But by then we were in a
critical phase of preparing the next Strategic Plan and applying for a new
round of funding. So I was offered and agreed to take a new 3 year contract up
until March 2018. To be honest I never intended to stay here this long, my
logic in doing so was to be in a position to consolidate the improvements we
were able to make as a result of the new funding and to oversee the
construction of the new Football Training Centre (FTC), the last piece of the
Project Phoenix ‘jigsaw’. I was committed to leaving in March 2018 but
unfortunately there were inevitable delays in the FTC and I agreed yet another
contract to stay on until it was complete. My original intention was to be here
three years maximum. If you remember I was ‘head-hunted’ to take over an
organization in crisis. I won’t elaborate but Project Phoenix had got off to a
disastrous start and some serious damage limitation was required to get back on
an even keel and restore the confidence of stakeholders.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The FTC is now finished and so as far as I
am concerned my job here is done. The FTC is fundamental to the long term
development of football in Hong Kong. When I came here I found FTC files dating
back several decades. I can understand now why nothing happened before I came
here. This has been one of the most difficult projects I have ever been
involved with and I am proud that it has finally come to fruition.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So what recent media articles have failed
to point out is that I have already been here twice as long as I intended and
that I have had my contract renewed twice. They also don’t know that I have
some personal reasons for needing to go back to the UK. The media like to
‘sensationalise’ issues but the fact is that 6 years is a long time to be away
from family and friends and now is a good time for me to go.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I have enjoyed my time here and I believe
that I leave football in Hong Kong in a much better place than I found it. In
my next blog I will summarise the differences as an ‘end of school’ report.
It’s not the ‘impossible’ job that some people say it is but it’s certainly
challenging and often made harder than it should be.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It’s sad that some people are focusing on
what I am paid rather than what has been achieved. I took what was offered to
me on day one without negotiation and I did not seek an increase when my
contract was renewed twice. I have never claimed expenses and I have paid my
own flights, accommodation etc whenever I have supported Hong Kong teams in
places such as Maldives, Bhutan, Qatar, Malaysia, Guam etc etc. In my opinion
what people should be focusing on is the more than half a billion dollars
(HK$500m+) of extra investment (such as Government funding, HKJC partnership and
commercial sponsorship) I have personally brought into Hong Kong football and
the things we have been able to do with that money. And make no mistake about
it, a lot has been achieved. Of course the successes we have brought about are
not just down to me. I need to thank many people including my colleagues here
at the HKFA, our Chairman and Board Members as well as many stakeholders
including the Government and the HK Jockey Club.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So when I get on that plane home on 1<sup>st</sup>
October I will have some mixed emotion. There will be some sadness in leaving
but more so I will be looking forward to the next chapter in my life. It has
been a wonderful and overwhelmingly positive experience. I have made some great
friends and had some incredible times. I have tried my best every day to make
Hong Kong football better. I will leave other people to judge whether that is
the case, but thanks to everyone for giving me this opportunity and good luck
in the future. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-53231617317686157462018-01-29T14:51:00.000+08:002018-01-29T14:51:04.015+08:00There’s something seriously wrong with Football Economics<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">According to financial information collated
by the accountants Deloitte, the combined turnover of the top 20 football clubs
in the world (Europe) is GBP6.97bn or circa HK$73bn. Manchester United was
identified as the top club in terms of revenue with a figure of GBP581m (say
HK$6bn). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iVsjf8XNTvmF6nMrU9lwnKAzvbE2Z3T24UPuJbrXe6hNOII22Ztsr85jeSPynHb3GXHS1bn3U40guKXaG_y2Ob5RwxSCvqE7Zcp5xdaSv2Ct7IC8qAhFMJoLSuDBhNVQfZsols7w2TKZ/s1600/achievement-bar-business-chart-40140+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iVsjf8XNTvmF6nMrU9lwnKAzvbE2Z3T24UPuJbrXe6hNOII22Ztsr85jeSPynHb3GXHS1bn3U40guKXaG_y2Ob5RwxSCvqE7Zcp5xdaSv2Ct7IC8qAhFMJoLSuDBhNVQfZsols7w2TKZ/s320/achievement-bar-business-chart-40140+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">On the face of it these look like quite large
numbers but are they really? Personally I think they are surprisingly small.
Arguably Manchester United is one of the world’s best known <b>brands</b> up there in terms of recognition
with the likes of Apple, Amazon, Alibaba, etc and yet its turnover figure is
miniscule in comparison, as illustrated by the wafer thin bar in the chart
below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFVO-5RLuJkZXbzrJdW_qrGUNNgyBRTzWHcV0Ig-8ZhAiU79KVtP2Uxsa2jgIsL2PS8yFlDRt4nQ8KQb9z7g9ZEYSFQxD96Z66zbLqDfqrxkSFYW-lDQTPbXWH0T72fEIye4oxB6UWiG9/s1600/chart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="580" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFVO-5RLuJkZXbzrJdW_qrGUNNgyBRTzWHcV0Ig-8ZhAiU79KVtP2Uxsa2jgIsL2PS8yFlDRt4nQ8KQb9z7g9ZEYSFQxD96Z66zbLqDfqrxkSFYW-lDQTPbXWH0T72fEIye4oxB6UWiG9/s400/chart.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Considering the global reach and appeal of
both football and the top brands such as Manchester United not to mention the
ubiquitous TV/media coverage, the amount of money actually being generated by the
clubs is rather pathetic. And of course most of these clubs have huge debts and
make a financial loss every year. Operationally the loss can be (at least in
part) attributed to the fact that an unsustainable amount of revenue is going
on player wages. If the stories about the salary being paid to Sanchez at Man
Utd are true, then he alone is getting over 4% of the club’s entire revenue. It’s
not unusual for the playing staff alone to account for significantly more than
50% of turnover. Some of the recent transfers have also been ridiculous. My own
club Liverpool recently paid GBP75m for a defender (a very good one it has to
be said) which is 20% of the club’s annual turnover. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I’m not blaming the clubs by the way. They
have little choice in paying vast sums of money to players and their agents.
It’s market forces and if they want to stay at the top, they simply have to
fork out ever increasing astronomical amounts. The problem as we know is that
many fans are being priced out of the market altogether. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The main point I am coming round to making however
is that there are even bigger amounts of money being made out of football that
never goes near the clubs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And I’m not talking about the Leagues or
even the Governing Bodies such as FIFA. The Premier League generates a lot of
money by selling the TV rights (GBP8.4billion between 2016-19) but a large
proportion of that goes back to the clubs and contributes to the turnover
figures above. FIFA generates money from the World Cup but that gets recycled
into football activities and programmes mainly through Member Associations. So in
these cases the football ‘product’ is being used to fund football – I have no
problem with that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The problem I have is that the
organisations making the most money from football invest nothing in the
‘product’ of football or the infrastructure of football or give much back. They
use the ‘product’ of football as a cuckoo uses another bird’s nest. I’m talking
about betting companies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The global football sports betting market
is worth HK$7.8trillion (US$1trillion) per annum. That’s US$ 1,000,000,000,000
or not far short of the GDP of Australia. How much of that goes back to the
clubs or football in general?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Just one of the many UK betting companies
Bet365 had a turnover last year of around four times that of Manchester United
and made a healthy profit margin of over 20%. How football clubs would like
margins like that! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Hong Kong Jockey Club generates
revenues from football betting (not including horse racing) in excess of the
collective turnover of the world’s top 20 football clubs. It’s an astounding
amount of money but at least in this case a large percentage of the profit
generated goes to good causes (and the Government in tax). Similarly, in England
1% of the ‘pools’ (national tote) money has been used to fund the Football
Foundation and this investment has helped to transform grassroots football.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I’m not name dropping but in December I was
having lunch with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and he was rightly bemoaning
the fact that football sees very little of the money generated from commercial football
betting. He mentioned that in France there is legislation to ensure that 1% of
betting turnover goes to the sport that generates it. If this model was
followed internationally and if my maths is correct it would result in an
additional US$10 billion investment back into football. Imagine the power of
this money to change people’s lives through social responsibility programmes,
grass roots football initiatives and even in tackling the problems caused by
football betting such as match-fixing, addiction etc! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Undoubtedly, some of this money should go
back to the owners of the ‘product’ that created the wealth in the first place
i.e. the clubs as long as there were safeguards in place to stop all of the extra
money going to mercenary players and greedy agent! Lower ticket prices maybe? It’s
high time that there was a much closer and global symbiotic relationship
between football and football betting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Mark Sutcliffe CEO, January 2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com211tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-6556210887036120962017-12-24T20:14:00.000+08:002017-12-27T20:15:24.211+08:00Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Another year has literally flown by! It’s
incredible to think that this is my sixth Christmas since taking up my position
in 2012. It makes me laugh now to recall the countless people who told me when
I first started that….”you won’t last six months!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In my Christmas message two years ago I
reflected on how 2015 had been a disastrous year for FIFA and I looked forward
to a time when it would have a new President and a reform programme. Last week
the HKFA hosted a FIFA Summit which was Chaired by the FIFA President Mr Gianni
Infantino. There were 15 Member Associations present and we were all consulted
by FIFA on some of its future programmes and had an opportunity to question
FIFA representatives on a range of topics. This refreshing and inclusive
approach simply wouldn’t have happened under the old regime. The fact that this
event went virtually unnoticed is also indicative that the ‘new’ FIFA is more
interested in doing business than it is in boosting egos through
self-promotion. The HKFA is already receiving more than five times as much
funding from FIFA than two years ago. There has been a swift and remarkable
change at FIFA and I congratulate them for it and wish them a Merry Christmas!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As ever 2017 has been an eventful year. As
you can see from the picture the long-awaited and much-needed Hong Kong Jockey
Club HKFA Football Training Centre is nearing completion. It’s going to be
delivered a bit later than we expected due to some adverse weather and technical
challenges but it will be worth waiting for, I can assure you of that. This is
one of the final recommendations of the original Project Phoenix to fall into
place and I can’t help feeling somewhat emotional when I walk around the site and
see what has been finally achieved. With a lot of hard work visions can become
reality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Another highlight was the Premier League
Asia Trophy which took place in July. The weather tried to spoil it like it had
in 2013 but not this time. The new pitch at the HK Stadium performed
beautifully and two full-house crowds were thrilled by some of the world’s best
players. I will never forget the sea of red and the passionate rendition of
You’ll Never Walk Alone. Another very emotional moment to savour for me as a
Liverpool fan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I can’t cover all of the activities and
programmes that we provide here in this short blog but suffice to say that I am
immensely proud of all of my colleagues and the tremendous job they do. The
HKFA staff share a passion for football and work extremely hard. I would like
to thank them for all their efforts and successes. And thanks too to our Board,
Committee Members and other stakeholders and partners. Collectively we strive
to make Hong Kong football better. It’s not an easy task but as they say, ‘the
path of true love never runs straight!’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">2018 will see the operational phase of the
Football Training Centre, Hong Kong teams participating in the AFC Champions
League (good luck to them), the culmination of the Asian Cup qualifiers and the
World Cup, to name just a few. It’s going to be another busy and exciting year.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Once again, thanks to everyone for their
support. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPnAFfLeG270u87QZZxfq0N_voMp6NPakFwpL4trl8C9XBXDDo0uxgXCUGQGC5Its6Q-oXAIHy-0NC88m2VMaRt2D4eDHZJPrT2QDVqAJlisGcaQchiaG45TU_zUjC0dt8Zxe90_ITILe/s1600/mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1431" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPnAFfLeG270u87QZZxfq0N_voMp6NPakFwpL4trl8C9XBXDDo0uxgXCUGQGC5Its6Q-oXAIHy-0NC88m2VMaRt2D4eDHZJPrT2QDVqAJlisGcaQchiaG45TU_zUjC0dt8Zxe90_ITILe/s320/mark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-55617006113212890042017-11-16T16:45:00.001+08:002017-11-16T16:45:11.392+08:00Looks like we will have to do it the hard way!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We always said that it would be difficult
to qualify for the finals of the Asian Cup UAE 2019 - given the draw we were
given – and so it has been proven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Now we have to travel to North Korea next
March and win! That sounds improbable but I believe we can do it. In some ways
it is better to go for a victory with nothing to lose rather than playing for a
draw (which is what we would have needed had we won by two clear goals last
night).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My confidence stems from the fact that for
the first 40 minutes we were clearly the better team and created some really
good chances against the group leaders Lebanon. Unfortunately the game turned
on one incident just before half time. I have said many times in this blog that
referees are fallible human beings who make mistakes. I have watched the
incident many times now and whilst I can see why he awarded a penalty (just) I
am still mystified as to why he even thought it was a foul worthy of a straight
red. I think most observers would agree that the officials made a mistake. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hkfa.com/upload/newsimage/news/2017/20171114/20171114c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://www.hkfa.com/upload/newsimage/news/2017/20171114/20171114c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The significance of that decision is
wide-ranging. Putting to one side the psychological effect that it could have
on a young player and the fact that it reinforces poor behavior by rewarding an
overreaction by the attacking player, it directly affects our chance of
qualification for a major competition, one that we haven’t qualified for since
1968. For a ‘developing’ Football Association the difference between qualifying
and not qualifying for a regional tournament is massive. Qualification would be
a benchmark for the undoubted improvements we are making. Failure to qualify
gives ammunition to the sceptics who say we are making no progress. Furthermore
it has a detrimental effect on our FIFA ranking and also on the eligibility of
our Clubs to play in regional club competitions like the Champions League. So these
factors impact materially on the development of the sport here in Hong Kong.
Qualification to the finals would be a massive boost to the sport and could
determine whether or not funding partners continue to invest in football. It is
that important and it is therefore frustrating when to some extent it hinges or
is at least influenced by a poor decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I am not exaggerating the significance of
the situation and given that, <b>now must
be the time to introduce Video Assistant Referees (VAR) for important decisions
relating to goals, penalties, straight red cards and mistaken identity in
international competitive football matches</b>. There is so much at stake now
that we can no longer rely on fallible human beings. I sense a consensus moving
in this direction too and a number of trials are currently taking place. VAR is
only a matter of time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And whilst we are on the subject, let’s
also introduce <b>retrospective action for
diving</b> (as has been done in the English Premier League). Diving is
prevalent in Asia as was exemplified the other night. One dive was so obvious
that I actually laughed out loud (however the player wasn’t even booked). Some
of these players must train in a swimming pool! Regular readers of this bog
will know that I abhor time wasting, feigning injury, diving, simulation etc.
It is beyond me why a team would do that when they have already qualified and
are winning a match against ten men. I’m sad to say it but I just think that this
sort of behavior is so engrained now, it’s become habitual.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So we re-group, lick our wounds and use the
disappointment as a motivator for our last match. We have improved so much
recently and as I say looked the better team in the first 40 minutes when it
was 11 v 11. Whatever happens I am proud of our team’s performance in these
qualifiers and I am sure we can still go through to the finals. We will give it
our best shot anyway you can be sure of that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span lang="EN-US">A word on the booing</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Quite frankly it’s getting a bit tedious.
The fans who boo have made their point now and I’m pretty sure that if there
hadn’t been such interest shown by the politicians and in particular the media,
it would have stopped a long time ago. I can’t read most of the papers here but
the ones I can read have stopped reporting on the football and are solely
interested in the crowd behavior before the match which of course just
encourages more booing. It’s a self-fulfilling prophesy, which I am sure the
media knows and relishes. Last night one media outlet even had the temerity to
broadcast the anthem live on TV from inside the stadium despite the fact that
they had no accreditation to do so. They were not the approved broadcaster and
should not have been showing a ‘live’ feed. It’s disgusting really that a
so-called professional organisation believes it is OK to infringe the
regulations so blatantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Another sad trend is what I will call the ‘orchestrated
anti-booing rent a crowd’, people who are apparently paid to come and oppose
those who are booing. I don’t know who these people are or who is paying them but
they are clearly not there to watch the football. They have no understanding of
the game and even less interest. Last night I watched as they sat through the
entire Lebanon anthem. Personally I find it more offensive to disrespect
someone else’s anthem than your own. Someone should teach both groups some
manners. This situation is a sad indictment on Hong Kong. Our beloved game is
being hijacked (to the obvious delight of the media) as a political tool by
both sides in a polarized, fractured society. It’s very sad that the action on
the pitch is now seen by many as secondary to what is happening off it. Please
if you’re not bothered about the football, just stay away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The HKFA will wait to see what action is
taken against us by the AFC, for it is us that will be penalized once again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hkfa.com/upload/newsimage/news/2017/20171114/20171114b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="265" src="https://www.hkfa.com/upload/newsimage/news/2017/20171114/20171114b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">When I came to Hong Kong one of my
objectives was to arrange more matches for the Hong Kong Representative Teams
and that is what we have done. We have done this because we want to improve the
standard of football in Hong Kong and also to give the fans some more interest
and excitement. Considering what has happened recently, I think we could be
forgiven for not hosting too many international friendly matches at home in the
near future. There are no competitive matches lined up so we could just have a
hiatus with no games if we wanted. However, we will continue to arrange matches
to give our players experience and to reward the true fans. We will not give up
and we will not allow negative interests to win. Football will prevail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mark
Sutcliffe, CEO November 2017</span></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com93tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-16791671044226753782017-11-02T17:25:00.001+08:002017-11-02T17:25:24.422+08:00The HKFA Says ‘NO’ to Match Fixing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaB4Zq58uTKDisN89ogR8qDNzr31IsUSkLCcQKhwosPPODhgQLu7biG4nq3jy5XbQx2Vvr_3K4quVwBYf6guQ2F3a6fPVypStqWY4aKr__wff5Q3_UhBO0wA_0b8pQM8iTV7ZqOfcpqbwJ/s1600/IMG_6145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaB4Zq58uTKDisN89ogR8qDNzr31IsUSkLCcQKhwosPPODhgQLu7biG4nq3jy5XbQx2Vvr_3K4quVwBYf6guQ2F3a6fPVypStqWY4aKr__wff5Q3_UhBO0wA_0b8pQM8iTV7ZqOfcpqbwJ/s400/IMG_6145.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Match fixing is a threat to the integrity
of our sport and the HKFA takes it very seriously. To illustrate this point we
recently ran a series of workshops for all HK Premier League and 1<sup>st</sup>
Division teams. The workshops were presented by Sportradar our integrity
partner. Sportradar is an international Fraud Prevention and Monitoring Company
that specializes in identifying fixed matches and match fixers. Sportradar has
a contract with the AFC to monitor all 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> tier
league matches across all 47 Member Associations of the HKFA. In addition to
that the HKFA has a separate contract with them to monitor our Reserve Division
and to present the workshops to players and officials. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Sportradar has very sophisticated betting
monitoring systems and they follow over 550 legitimate betting sites and over 5
billion data sets daily. Mathematical algorithms trigger alarms if betting
patterns deviate from the norm. I won’t go into detail but basically their
systems are so robust that many match fixers have been convicted on the basis
of their evidence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">If we receive an alert from Sportradar regarding
an ‘ESCALATED’ match i.e. one that has been fixed, the information is routinely
passed to the law enforcement agencies in Hong Kong. As recent arrests and
previous convictions prove, there really is no place to hide anymore. If you
fix, you will be found out, reported and investigated. As our players, coaches
and officials heard from Sportradar at the briefings, being found guilty of
match fixing will lead to an automatic life ban from football as well as more
serious consequences such as imprisonment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The emphasis of the workshops was on <b>education</b> and <b>prevention</b>. More often than not players are the victim and they are
‘hooked into’ this type of thing by unscrupulous criminals. Once involved in
this type of activity it is almost impossible to back out because players (and
their families) are blackmailed and threatened by people who had previously
pretended to be their friend. Players and officials were taught how to
recognize an approach from match fixers and what to do if it happens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Match fixing is a world-wide sports problem
and not just football. However Hong Kong football is identified as being
particularly susceptible because Asia is the heart of the problem, players are
paid relatively poorly compared to some other places and our matches are
offered by betting sites all over the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The figures involved in betting on sport
are mind-boggling and are the route of the problem. The world-wide sports
betting market is worth 12.9 trillion HK$ per annum. That’s 12.9 million
million or 12,900,000,000,000! Of that 7.8 trillion HK$ is bet on football, 70%
of which is in Asia. It’s illegal to bet on HK football in Hong Kong however,
the HK Premier League attracts global betting of HK$1.8 billion each season,
that’s HK$25.6m per match! And that’s only the regulated betting market.
Estimates vary but the unregulated betting market (including under the table
betting in Hong Kong) is estimated to be worth at least as much again. Perhaps
it’s time to legalise betting on HK football in HK so it’s easier to monitor
and so a percentage of the revenue could be used to combat the problem, but
that’s a discussion for another time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It’s no wonder that with such vast sums
involved, match ‘manipulation’ attracts the criminal fraternity. With over 65
‘in-play’ bets, you don’t even need to fix the result. You can bet on the total
number of goals, the half time score, the number of corners, the number of
bookings etc. There was even the famous case of an English international being
paid to ensure there was a throw in during the first minute of the match. It
failed by the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This problem is not going to go away so the
HKFA must be vigilant and proactive. We believe that the partnership with
Sportradar and the compulsory workshops demonstrate our commitment to
combatting match fixing but more importantly to protecting our players and
officials.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Mark Sutcliffe, CEO November 2017 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-2882468147042304282017-09-12T15:22:00.001+08:002017-09-12T15:22:30.353+08:00Congratulations to Wai Ki<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VHSfGMfhe02l1NBZiktxSh-abfjgq3eDgR_vnY7YOHGci8_BHclMZmCUjzVO1IffyKCx3cTUAvAnBSjSQe22BqCtPnqe-K2nAT1V0U4RoRcQ8DAYQav8glJ8qRTS9lWbpnqVgu9xIMTs/s1600/Wai+Ki-edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VHSfGMfhe02l1NBZiktxSh-abfjgq3eDgR_vnY7YOHGci8_BHclMZmCUjzVO1IffyKCx3cTUAvAnBSjSQe22BqCtPnqe-K2nAT1V0U4RoRcQ8DAYQav8glJ8qRTS9lWbpnqVgu9xIMTs/s400/Wai+Ki-edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">A few months ago I wrote a blog stating
that I thought girls and women’s football in Hong Kong had turned the corner.
We have had another example this week and many congratulations go to Hong Kong
Women’s Representative Team player Wai Ki for getting a professional contract
with Brisbane Roar in the Australian W – League. This is a fantastic
achievement and I wish her well. Over the last few years I have taken pride in
watching her and others in her cohort developing from players with enthusiasm
and potential into really talented footballers. In that blog I highlighted how
we had dominated the match against Singapore. Wai Ki was brilliant that day. I
am so pleased that the girls and women are doing so well because their passion
for the game is as intense as any male, as is their dedication and hard work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This success is all the more remarkable
when you consider that it’s only about five years ago that the HKFA took over
the responsibility for girls and women’s football. We now spend many millions
of dollars on developing this side of the game. To some people it’s not
important but to me it is fundamental. Girls and women have just as much right
as boys and men to play football and they derive an equal amount of benefit and
pleasure from playing. Girls and women’s football is the fastest growing sport
in the world and Hong Kong is at the forefront of this change. The phenomenal
success of Coach Chan Yuen Ting and Referee Gigi Law are just two examples of Hong
Kong’s preeminence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Most of the credit for this transformation
must go to our Women’s Football Manager, Betty Wong. She has been involved in
football for a long time and I was delighted when she decided to join us
fulltime in May 2013. Since then she has established girls youth leagues, a
women’s league and HKRTs at U12, U14, U16, U18 as well as further enhancing the
senior women’s team. Betty has done an amazing job and we are lucky to have
her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I hope that Wai Ki is the first of many
‘exports’ to professional women’s leagues because she will undoubtedly develop
even more by training and playing at a higher level. This can only be good for
us moving forward. It will not be easy for her either personally or
professionally and we should give her as much support as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">When I eventually look back on my time in
Hong Kong I know that the growth of the women’s game, and the improvements we
have made, will be one of the things that gives me most satisfaction. Good luck
Wai KI, do yourself and Hong Kong proud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Mark Sutcliffe, CEO September 2017<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-47994890890036081642017-09-11T18:51:00.000+08:002017-09-11T18:51:04.387+08:00So Near But Yet So Far<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hkfa.com/upload/newsimage/news/2017/20170905/20170905a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.hkfa.com/upload/newsimage/news/2017/20170905/20170905a.JPG" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="Body">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Football is a game of fine margins. I am writing
this on the plane back from Malaysia the day after our Asian Cup Qualifier. It
was always going to be a close game; the last two matches against Malaysia also
finished 1-1. To be honest the first half was a bit uneventful with both sides
trying hard, making a few mistakes and not really creating many clear cut
chances. However, the second half was anything but dull!</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">We took the lead early in the half with an excellently
crafted and finished goal but we were unable to hold onto the lead for long
when they scored a somewhat fortuitous goal four minutes later. It was unlucky
for us that the ball deflected into the path of an unmanned player in the box
from a blocked shot, and he was left with just our keeper to beat. If I was
being harsh I might ask why he was allowed so much space in such a dangerous
area and this is something that we will have to work on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">After that the game was very open and
entertaining with end to end action and both teams created good chances. Then
came one of those fine margins on which games turn. We had a nice little
interchange of passes and Alex made a well-timed run into the box with just the
keeper to beat (which he did) only to be given off-side. My initial instinct
told me that he wasn’t off-side and I believe the replays show that he was in
fact on-side when the ball was played. As readers of my blog will know, I don’t
criticise referees and this was one of those genuine mistakes that happen from
time to time. We created enough chances to win the game anyway including one
glorious open goal!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">There was more drama to come when in stoppage
time Alex was fouled in the box and the referee rightly awarded a penalty. At
that point the behaviour of the Malaysian coaches and players was very
disappointing. OK, it was the heat of the moment but their players surrounded
and berated the referee for several minutes which is unacceptable. Taking a
penalty at 1-1 in stoppage time is a pressure situation and the unnecessary
delay and unsportsmanlike behaviour can only have made the situation worse.
Perhaps that was the plan. Full marks to Sandro for having the courage to step
up to take the penalty and full marks to their keeper for making a good save.
We just missed from the rebound confirming again that small margins determine
the outcome of matches. At the end of the day those two points dropped could
make a difference in terms of qualification. It could have been, and arguably
should have been very different.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">To be blunt there were disgraceful scenes at the
final whistle with their Coach, his assistants and a number of the players
virtually assaulting the referee. The fact that the Coach could not control
himself influenced the other team officials which in turn incited the crowd. It
was shocking to see the referee being escorted from the field of play in a
barrage of verbal abuse and missiles. Imagine their behaviour if the referee
had actually made incorrect decisions against them. If anyone should have been
upset it was us because of the earlier incorrect offside decision. The AFC must
take some action to prevent this sort of thing happening again and to give
support and protection to match officials. Yet again I was left dismayed and
angry at the behaviour of people who should know better. It was embarrassing
for my hosts from the FAM who at least had the courtesy to apologise to me
later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I said in a previous blog that we were given a
tough draw and that it would be difficult to qualify. It still looks that way
and three points would have been very handy - it could so easily have happened
too if it weren’t for those fine margins. And so the overriding mood in the
camp last night and this morning was one of disappointment. Although
frustrating we must remember that it’s not over yet and we will continue to
fight for qualification.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">In typical sensationalist style I note that some
of the media are calling for Coach KIM to be sacked. That’s pretty disgusting
and disrespectful. It also shows a complete lack of understanding of the
situation. Coach KIM has a contract which runs until next summer. His salary is
paid for by the Government. If we were to sack him (even if it were justified,
which it is not) we would have to pay him six month’s salary in compensation.
We would not be able to replace him because the Government would not agree to
pay KIM’s compensation <b>and</b> the
salary of a replacement. So we would not have a coach for the remainder of the
Asian Cup qualifiers - how sensible would that be? So everyone should just shut
up and get behind Coach KIM and his team. He is not going anywhere unless he,
himself decides it is time to leave. The HKFA will decide on his future at the
appropriate time. I hope that ends the ridiculous speculation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Another issue that seems to generate a lot of
debate is the use of ‘naturalised’ players. I know KIM is acutely aware that
his selection of so-called ‘foreign’ players is not universally popular. Most
countries in most sports have ‘naturalised’ players and we should remember that
it is more difficult for a foreign player to become eligible to represent Hong
Kong than it is in virtually any other country. Someone who has been in Hong
Kong for at least 7 years (plus the time it takes to get a passport) and given
up their original nationality should in my opinion be welcomed and accepted.
The resentment even seems to apply to those players who were born in Hong Kong
or have lived here since they were toddlers. I can’t understand the attitude
myself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">I don’t get involved in selection matters but I
have told KIM to pick his best team from people who are eligible to represent
Hong Kong. If we want to be successful,
that in my opinion, is the only policy to follow. In time things will change
anyway, as the standard of local football gradually improves. The ‘local’
players who represented Hong Kong in Malaysia played very well especially the
two young substitutes Wong Wai and Tan Chun Lok. I went to the two recent
interport matches against Macau last week, which we won. Again the ‘local’
players did very well and showed huge promise. It is very encouraging. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The future for ‘local’ players is looking bright
which is great and what we all want. We should not forget however that
‘foreign’ players and coaches have been instrumental in helping these local
players to develop and improve as happens in most places around the world. This
is especially true of one Mr KIM who has devoted most of his professional life
to helping Hong Kong football. It’s about time more people got behind him and
all of the Hong Kong players irrespective of where they were born. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="Body">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Mark Sutcliffe, CEO September 2017<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-39662040579971104892017-07-31T17:43:00.000+08:002017-07-31T17:43:27.234+08:00What will Football look like in 25 years?<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="s21"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
25 years time I will be 80 years old (if I’m lucky) and hopefully, I
will be sitting in my ‘man-cave’ somewhere with a beer watching
football, probably via some form of virtual reality. The question is; will
the game be recognisable compared to the one we watch today? </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUH6Ie1KOjL4qJvfReqNUaRbv_396uMQ5F35NeSrnk-1PwbA4iOXBurlz8y5x7r2yYFHdBWYPLi8Qh5HAsQNKLtThnkhtw-yygFSLLdRtC6Q4hNm7h-fq-e2pyimQvZPnnGqvItJRaZ-5H/s1600/old2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="921" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUH6Ie1KOjL4qJvfReqNUaRbv_396uMQ5F35NeSrnk-1PwbA4iOXBurlz8y5x7r2yYFHdBWYPLi8Qh5HAsQNKLtThnkhtw-yygFSLLdRtC6Q4hNm7h-fq-e2pyimQvZPnnGqvItJRaZ-5H/s400/old2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="s21"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Since
the extant Laws of Association Football were codified in 1863
they haven’t actually changed that much. The International Football Association
Board (IFAB), established by the four UK ‘home country’
associations, assumed responsibility for maintaining the laws in
1886 and they were joined in doing so by FIFA in 1913. Many people are
surprised to find out that there are only 17 Laws of the game and
since the original codification, only minor amendments have been made. So
for example, astonishingly yellow and red cards were only introduced in
1970! The ‘back pass’ law has only been part of the game since
1992. These were controversial amendments at the time but are now simply
accepted. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="s21"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The IFAB
credits itself with a ‘major revision’ in
2016/17 describing the amendments as ‘far-reaching and
comprehensive’. Really? How many changes can you name? ‘Minor
tweaks’ would perhaps be a more accurate description.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="s21"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s amazing
really that so little has changed in over 150 years. More amazing when you
consider how much else has evolved during that period of time in virtually
every other aspect of our lives. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="s21"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">However, I
sense that the pace of change is set to increase. The ‘new’ FIFA seems more
inclined to innovation and
is more influential on the IFAB.
The potential introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is a
good example. Incidentally, I was staggered to see Maradona quoted on
the FIFA website as ‘laughing and smiling’ about how his infamous ‘hand of God’
goal would have been disallowed if VAR had been around in 1986. FIFA, answer me
this, since when has blatant cheating been a laughing matter? Condoning this
sort of behaviour is not helpful (even if the incident was 31 years
ago and yes, I am still bitter about it).</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7JC0kJKnjIPXhRcuohhjzfHPz2cLtvnzhvV1isdptrFVPWAU_Q3E58M63sF3KgdC0ZKcmt2PUsJkwILV_DEJyCnuIjTUBvCKCdAZZoknsQArYey-Bp-cgNh8EMghs8_GgAVc3atm1-8M/s1600/modern2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7JC0kJKnjIPXhRcuohhjzfHPz2cLtvnzhvV1isdptrFVPWAU_Q3E58M63sF3KgdC0ZKcmt2PUsJkwILV_DEJyCnuIjTUBvCKCdAZZoknsQArYey-Bp-cgNh8EMghs8_GgAVc3atm1-8M/s400/modern2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="s21"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A few years
ago I was a luddite (traditionalist) and didn’t want to see
VAR, fearing that it would disrupt the flow of the game. I believed
we had to accept that referees were human and would make mistakes but ultimately
fairness would balance out over the course of 90 minutes. I have
changed my mind now partly because we have seen it used to good effect in most
major sports and goal-line technology has been used successfully.
Furthermore there have been many incidents that have changed the course of a
match such as Thierry Henri’s deliberate handball against Northern
Ireland, Luis Suarez’ ‘save’ on the line against Ghana and Frank Lampard’s
disallowed goal against Germany. All of these were World Cup related matches, and
with so much at stake now it is difficult to argue against VAR.
Limited use of VAR for major issues such as goals, penalties, red cards
and mistaken identities is being trialed which so far has been a
success. I am sure it will be implemented into the Laws come the World Cup
in Russia.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="s21"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="s21"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">IFAB has
said that individual Football Associations can use their discretion to
introduce other changes at the ‘grassroots’ level such as yellow card ‘sin
bins’, extra substitutes, rolling (return) substitutes (especially for
injury assessment) etc. I think this is a good direction and wouldn’t
be at all surprised to see some of these progressions brought into
the Laws governing top flight football.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="s21"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Regular
readers of my blog will know that one of my biggest bugbears in football is
time wasting. It is so irritating. It is only a matter of time until the
‘stopwatch’ system is introduced. It works perfectly well in futsal, rugby,
basketball etc and I can see no reason why it should not be adopted
in football. If the clock stops every time the ball is not in play
then it would immediately eradicate all of the time-wasting antics. I have
heard that, based on current research, this may be
two x 30 minute halves! That just shows how much fans (who pay for 90
minutes) are being short-changed at the moment. In my opinion 40 minutes
per half (as in rugby) would be better.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="s21"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let me just
throw out a few more ideas.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="s21"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The pace of
the game has increased dramatically and it is now much more difficult for
referees to keep up with play, to spot all infringements and to make decisions
whilst under fatigue. Why not have two referees, one in each
half? There are three referees in basketball and goodness knows
how many in American Football.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="s21"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another
thing that works well in rugby is the fact that only the captain is allowed to
speak to the referee. That, coupled to the ‘sin-bin’ would stop the petulant
dissent. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="s21"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another more
radical idea would be to reduce the number of players on the pitch to 10 or
increase the size of the goals. Why do I say that? Here are some
interesting statistics for you. The average number of goals per game at the
world cups held between 1930 and 1958 was 4.27. The average since 1958 is 2.6
goals per game. Between 2010 and 2014 the average number of goals per game in
the top divisions in England, Spain, Germany and Italy never exceeded
3 across the whole season. No-one wants to watch a boring nil-nil
match. When I was growing up the playing formation was 2-3-5. Now it’s
4-4-2 or 4-3-3 and usually ends up as 5-4-1 or even 6-4-0. The average
size and athleticism of players, and goalkeepers in
particular, continues to increase and yet the goals remain a quirky 8ft x
8 yards or 2.44m x 7.32m. A 3m x 8m goal or fewer players (meaning more space)
would make things a lot more exciting.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="s21"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our sport
has to evolve and move with the times. I don’t advocate wholesale change
but rather regular, iterative ways to make the game more entertaining
and exciting whilst removing the less appealing aspects such as time-wasting,
simulation, diving, dissent etc.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="s21"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If I get to
be an octogenarian I hope I will be able to watch a game of football that has
retained its core principles and inherent ‘beauty’ but also one that has used
Law changes to good effect. Time will tell.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="s21"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mark
Sutcliffe - CEO </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-11595984351072578832017-07-26T12:27:00.000+08:002017-07-26T12:27:01.809+08:00Premier League Asia Trophy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MhvsU29roN7VMWElAa1NriA3OC2Tc5tdHsnG0FsZZkLllmT11GX0HmihxCCyH8FdOjNia8zDxSSJJTOBE1YXJLjvVAOVyq0ZF0hLu-7S99q6n2MdAhFx5szjI3xH9nFGAJ8Ft-OI91WL/s1600/20170726a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MhvsU29roN7VMWElAa1NriA3OC2Tc5tdHsnG0FsZZkLllmT11GX0HmihxCCyH8FdOjNia8zDxSSJJTOBE1YXJLjvVAOVyq0ZF0hLu-7S99q6n2MdAhFx5szjI3xH9nFGAJ8Ft-OI91WL/s400/20170726a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I’ll be honest with you. One of the main
reasons I have stayed in Hong Kong longer than the three years I originally
thought I would, is because of what happened the last time we hosted the Asia
Trophy in 2013. As has been well documented, that was an embarrassing farce and
personally bitterly disappointing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I don’t like failure, so there remained
unfinished business for me for which I wanted to make amends. As soon as I
heard that the Premier League was considering bringing back the Asia Trophy to
Hong Kong in 2017, I was determined to exorcise the ghosts of 2013 and make
this event the best ever. It is enormously satisfying to say that I think we
achieved that goal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">An event on this scale is a massive
logistical exercise, and requires a huge amount of planning from a lot of
personnel. The Premier League employs some wonderful people who were great to
work with. The four clubs were excellent too, both on and off the pitch. I must
also pay tribute to the Government for their help and support, not in least by
terms of preparing the playing surface. My colleagues here at the HKFA have
been immense, putting in time and effort way above expectations. This time it
has been a privilege to be involved, and to help to make the tournament a world-class
celebration of the sport we all love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The action on the pitch was terrific while
the level of skill and competition was intense – this was by no means just an
exhibition. Of equal importance is the community engagement that takes place
during the week and the legacy programme. Hong Kong coaches, referees and young
players benefitted enormously from the experience and expertise of
professionals from the clubs and the Premier League. The HKFA will use the
legacy funding wisely to invest in the future of Hong Kong football.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The most gratifying thing is that the event
showcased the huge demand and passion for football in Hong Kong. The atmosphere
in the full stadium was simply electric. If only we could harness some of that
enthusiasm for local football. Capitalizing on that interest is probably our
biggest challenge here at the HKFA. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We can now put the episode of 2013 behind
us, and let’s hope we never see the phrase ‘killer pitch’ in the media ever
again! The PLAT 2017 was a stunning success and will always be one of my career
highlights. I hope the PLAT 2017 created some unforgettable memories for
football fans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Thank you to everyone who was involved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Mark Sutcliffe - CEO<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-40784361884611982112017-05-17T11:43:00.001+08:002017-05-17T11:43:33.722+08:00I see a bright future for Hong Kong football<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVyq3Mc_IWWQ_7soLL4X7vbLxAEDXm-z0pvnnZHMI2LmuM28jx7LTYF9UJpMg7_lWt82gN-5j8yqM-qZZ5lknIwLRqI5_TdSKPd-qyf0GE6L3xjT-qvmfGNkvu_Op3-yEo9oKntUPfA96/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVyq3Mc_IWWQ_7soLL4X7vbLxAEDXm-z0pvnnZHMI2LmuM28jx7LTYF9UJpMg7_lWt82gN-5j8yqM-qZZ5lknIwLRqI5_TdSKPd-qyf0GE6L3xjT-qvmfGNkvu_Op3-yEo9oKntUPfA96/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It is only natural that most fans and the
media focus on what is happening now in the <b>HK Premier League</b> and the performance of the <b>HK Representative Teams</b>. These are very important facets of the
work carried out by the HKFA and will always be in the immediate spotlight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">However I think it is only right and proper
to highlight the excellent work going on in other areas and how these will
impact on the future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In recent years under <b>Project Phoenix</b> initially and more recently through our new
Strategy, <b>Aiming High</b>, we are doing
excellent work transforming the governance and management of the HKFA. At an
operational level we are now better structured, have more resources and have
improved our systems and procedures massively. It’s not just me saying that
either; in 2015 the AFC awarded us the ‘Developing Member Association of the
Year Award’. We have improved year on year in the LCSD Annual Inspection. But
it’s not this aspect of our work I want to focus on now because the internal
workings of the HKFA are of even less interest to the public and good
governance and management should be a given.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">What I want to focus on in this blog is the
enormous work being done to prepare the <b>players,
officials and coaches</b> of tomorrow. <b>Aiming
High</b> sets out plans for improved systems and structures of football
development covering; <b>grass roots
football, youth development, talent identification, high performance football,
girls and women’s football, coach education and referee development</b>. Thanks
to the additional resources being provided by the Government and the HK Jockey
Club we now have a team of highly competent and motivated football
professionals leading all of these areas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Within the <b>Technical Department</b> we have a good blend of expatriate people including
our Head Coach and Technical Director (Korea), Head of Football Development
(England), Grass roots Football Manager (England), Strength and Conditioning
Manager (England), Academy Manager (Spain), two Elite Development Managers
(Japan and Spain). These people are imparting knowledge to increase the
knowledge and skills of our local coaches and players. This enhanced capacity
building is part of a deliberate succession plan and should ensure a
sustainable legacy for Hong Kong football. We already have local people heading
up our Competitions team, Women’s Football, Futsal, Coach Education and
Refereeing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The <b>Hong
Kong Football Curriculum</b> (which is available to everyone involved in Hong
Kong football and is on our website) has been produced by this group of experts
and provides a toolkit to develop the players of the future. I commend it to
you. The curriculum provides an <b>age-related
training methodology for player development </b>in terms of skill acquisition,
tactical awareness, physical conditioning and mental preparedness. It is an
excellent and ever-evolving resource. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">When we have so many people doing so much
good work it is very difficult to give anything other than a snapshot. The list
below is a microcosm of a concerted and massive development programme being
delivered by the HKFA:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Grassroots
Football<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Enhanced and expanded summer
scheme with over 10,000 kids</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">District Forums and Seminars
being held</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Increased supervision of
District Coaches</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Expanded training programme focused
on the ‘Golden Age’ (6 - 12)– more kids playing football with development
pathways</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">More festivals, games days and
competitions</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">District
Training Programme and Youth Leagues<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Expanded District training
programme (more frequent training)</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Expanded youth league (more age
groups and matches)</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Introduction of ‘Divisions’ to
enable the best to play against the best</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">International invitational
tournaments for our Academy teams (boys and girls)</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Women’s
and Girls Development Programme<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Regional training for U11, U14
and U18</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">More training sessions for
elite squads</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">More leagues and competitions
(junior and senior)</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">More training and playing
opportunities for our representative teams</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">NB
Prior to Project Phoenix girls and women’s football was not part of the HKFA. Development
work was virtually zero.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Futsal<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Significantly increased inter
schools competition</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">New University Futsal League</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Establishment of HK Futsal
League</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">More training and competition
for elite players (male and female)</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Sports
Science<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Individually prescribed
training programmes for elite players</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Development of strength and
conditioning benchmarks</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Introduction of GPS technology</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Coaches workshops and update of
coach education syllabus</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Referee testing programme</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Work with University on
nutrition intervention</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Coach
Education<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Full restructure of HKFA Coach
Education course and syllabus based on best practice</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">More courses being offered
including ‘A’ Licence course in progress (first one for a long time)</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Introduction on minimum
standards for coaches at various levels</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">New points system for Continuous
Professional Development</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Regular briefings to HKFA
registered coaches</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Refereeing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Introduction of ‘young talented
referee academy’, (472 people benefitted so far)</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">More referees being recruited,
trained and assessed</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Better fitness training</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">More AFC/FIFA referees,
instructors and assessors</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I could go on but believe me the work in
these areas is extensive and coordinated. People following Hong Kong football
may not even know that we are working in these areas. Like I said, these
activities and programmes often go <b>‘under
the radar’</b> but believe me they are the bedrock of our work and they are
crucial for the future of football. Before Project Phoenix and Aiming High the
HKFA didn’t have the resources to carry out these activities. It barely had
enough funding and staff to manage the old first division, the three amateur
leagues and the occasional international match. The transition and
transformation has been seismic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We are lucky to have a team of people who
are happy to dedicate their time and expertise whilst not being bothered about
the limelight. To me they are unsung heroes and heroines! I am grateful for and
in awe of their competence and ability. We are also indebted to the HK Jockey
Club for providing partnership funding to allow us to provide these enhanced
opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I am also delighted to report that our new <b>Football Training Centre</b> at Tseung Kwan
O is coming out of the ground and will in the future alleviate one of the most
acute problems in Hong Kong football, the lack of facilities. That project has
been on the drawing Board for many many years and it is only down to the
dedication and hard work of the current management of the HKFA that it is
finally coming to fruition. In the near future our elite players as well as
community users will be able to train on purpose built, well maintained and
dedicated facilities. This will make a real and huge difference in terms of
player development, coach education and referee training. In other words we
will be able to do even more development work!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I hope this blog has highlighted the amount
of resources, effort and determination that the HKFA is putting into improving
things for the future. The results may take some time to materialize. After all
it takes a long time to develop excellent players, coaches and officials –
remember the 10,000 hour concept. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The work I have done in firstly writing the
Government’s strategy, Dare to Dream, then in preparing Project Phoenix and
more recently in writing and implementing Aiming High has been a labour of love
for me. I will always be proud of what collectively, myself and my brilliant
colleagues have achieved. What is happening on the pitch now in 2017 is not a
result of these recent initiatives, it is still to some extent a legacy of what
came before, which was too few resources, no clear direction and very little
player development. That’s why it would be wrong to judge the HKFA simply on
what is happening now in professional football or in international competitions
such as the Asian Cup. I believe we are making progress in these areas too but
the real results will not happen until the excellent development work has had time
to work itself through the system. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Please take a look at these links which
show some of the good work being undertaken and I believe some of our stars of
the future.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.hkfa.com/upload/download/Video%201.mp4">Video 1</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.hkfa.com/upload/download/Video%202.mp4">Video 2</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Mark Sutcliffe, CEO May 2017<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-13888993033954536792017-05-09T14:40:00.000+08:002017-05-09T14:42:24.894+08:00Credit where Credit is Due<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0NRQG6-9ZlBvDDC3MSBLRWjEMYAjr2sk8VyCGX9Uc8JVC9cGE4tpQ_5xqGMqay54sJHKDOxqqXtrBMqqbJQ7epVl_zKnWmocVnhmvqzh8SCd6_q5o9Fmh6SBg8VmvjHhTF5XRv0DlXdN/s1600/DSC_6425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0NRQG6-9ZlBvDDC3MSBLRWjEMYAjr2sk8VyCGX9Uc8JVC9cGE4tpQ_5xqGMqay54sJHKDOxqqXtrBMqqbJQ7epVl_zKnWmocVnhmvqzh8SCd6_q5o9Fmh6SBg8VmvjHhTF5XRv0DlXdN/s320/DSC_6425.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Congratulations to Kitchee for winning the
2016/17 BoC Life HKPL. It has been a long, hard-fought campaign and, as
predicted in this blog a few months ago, the league went down to the very last
game. It was fitting that the two top teams met to decide which one was going
to be the Champion. It was a great afternoon at Mong Kok with a good
atmosphere. What was most pleasing for me was that it was a sell-out. That
shows that there is demand for local football and that we are making progress.
As ever congratulations to my colleagues for yet more fantastic organisation.
Thanks too to our sponsors BoC Life for their continuing support and for enabling
us to improve the league in line with people’s expectations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Having said that, it was disappointing to
note that the behavior of many of the players, still leaves a lot to be
desired. We had the usual time wasting, feigning injury, brandishing imaginary
yellow cards, dissent on the pitch and from the dugout etc etc. This has got to
stop because it is pathetic, embarrassing and ruining the game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It goes without saying that whichever team
comes out on top over the course of a whole season deserves to win. Kitchee has
won the league on merit. They may well go on to win the treble this coming
weekend and that would be a huge achievement. It is a commendable performance
by any standard and reflects a well-run and purposeful club with excellent
infrastructure and a solid Head Coach. Recently, I have been accused of many
things by the Kitchee management which to be honest is of no concern to me in
writing this blog or at all for that matter. As far as their football is
concerned I have been consistent in saying that they are the standard bearers
for Hong Kong. I fervently wish we had many more teams with their drive and
commitment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Despite what some people may think, I have
no allegiance to any team in Hong Kong; I want them <b>all</b> to be successful. I have no favourites and am completely
impartial. I am genuinely delighted that whoever wins our league has a chance
to participate in the top tier AFC competition. I hope that if our prevailing
AFC MA rankings are high enough and if Kitchee receive the AFC CL Club Licence,
that they will play in the group stages of the 2018 AFC Champions League and be
successful. I will support them all the way and I know my HKFA colleagues will
do likewise. The fact that they will have achieved entry into the group stage on
merit this time as league champions will make it even more satisfying for
everyone. Of course it won’t make it any easier and as we have seen this season
with Eastern, there is a massive gap in quality for them to overcome. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In that respect, I would like to offer some
sympathy to Eastern who have been at the top of the league for most of the
season. I witnessed firsthand the devastation they felt after the match. It has
been a difficult time for them this season and I am sure that competing in the
continental competition has taken its toll. Moving up to a new level and
competing in domestic and regional competitions at the same time is a tall
order. I have no doubt that Kitchee will find it tough too but it is a stepping
stone for Hong Kong football. All stakeholders including the media should remember
that and give our teams as much support as possible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As another BoC Life HKPL season comes to a
close, I reflect on the fact that the standard at the top has again improved
but that the league as a whole is not strong enough. We must continue to strive
to grow the sport as a whole here in Hong Kong to make the league more
competitive and more sustainable. Progress in the ‘professional’ aspect of
football in Hong Kong is slower than I would have liked, especially compared to
other aspects of the sport which have made great strides forward. Over the next
few months we will be preparing for the BoC Life HKPL 2017/18 season and we
will be working hard to see how we can make things better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Mark Sutcliffe, CEO<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-87142440097114235612017-03-13T15:05:00.002+08:002017-03-15T11:04:22.647+08:00Could this be the Turning Point for Women’s Football<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hkfa.com/upload/newsimage/news/2017/20170312/20170312e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://www.hkfa.com/upload/newsimage/news/2017/20170312/20170312e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Hong Kong Women’s Senior team beat
Singapore yesterday in an international friendly match at Tseung Kwan O Sports
Ground. The 2-0 winning score line does not reflect the brilliance and
dominance of the Hong Kong team. I am serious when I say that it was one of the
best team performances I have seen in my time in Hong Kong. If it hadn’t been
for the athleticism of their goal keeper, the woodwork and a dubious off-side
decision the score would have been at least 5-0, and it would have been
deserved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">From start to finish the Hong Kong team
played with composure, skill and confidence. The passing was accurate, the
movement off the ball excellent and the style of system of play consistent and
effective. As well as the great teamwork, what impressed me most is the level
of improvement in both individual skill and the physical fitness of the
players. It is clear that there has been a lot of work done. I am so pleased
that the passion and hard commitment has paid off. I told the coaches and
players after the match that they should be proud of themselves. Hong Kong
should be proud too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">There was a good crowd to witness the match
which was fantastic and I could tell from the reaction that they were as
impressed as I was. The support for women’s football in Hong Kong is getting
stronger all the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The HKFA is committed to girls and women’s
football and I personally think it is equally important to boys and men’s
football. There is huge potential here and although we are starting from a low
base, our Women’s Football Manager, Betty and Head Coach, Chi together with the
other coaches and the players have done a brilliant job in developing both the
grass roots and high performance football. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In the past girls and women’s football in
Hong Kong has not really been taken seriously and they have often been given
the worst pitches to train on at the worst times and in the worst places. In
spite of that their commitment and drive has never wavered. Yesterday perhaps
gave a glimpse into the future. Women’s football is often described as the
fastest growing sport in the world. It is time Hong Kong capitalized on this
demand and interest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Thank you to everyone who has contributed
to women’s football development and thank you in particular to those involved
yesterday. You gave me memories that will stay with me forever. It was an
amazing performance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Mark Sutcliffe CEO, March 2017 <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">_________________________________</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">女子足球的契機?</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hkfa.com/upload/newsimage/news/2017/20170312/20170312e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://www.hkfa.com/upload/newsimage/news/2017/20170312/20170312e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">香港女子足球代表隊昨日於將軍澳運動場舉行之國際友誼賽中以</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">2-0</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">擊敗新加坡,事實上最終之比分不能完全反映球隊於整場賽事的出色表現及壓倒性優勢,她們的表現亦是我來香港之後看過的最好之一。倘若不是對方守門員的優異演出又或者龍門框的阻撓以及值得商榷的越位判決,或許最終比分差距會是</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">5</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">球或以上。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">由鳴笛開賽一刻起直至完場為止,隊員在場上都展現出信心、技術及沉著,無論傳送、走位、戰術、團隊合作及默契等都充滿效率而且表現出色,而個人技術以及體能上的進步及提升更令我印象深刻。顯然地這是努力的成果,我亦為他們的熱誠及付出感到欣慰。賽後,我跟教練及一眾球員說道她們應為自己感到自豪,而香港人亦應為她們感到驕傲。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">香港球迷對女足的支持度正日漸提升,昨天一同欣賞賽事及見證港隊勝利的過千名購票入場的現場觀眾,應該與我一樣對她們留下深刻印象。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">除了男子足球外,香港足球總會一直致力發展本地女足,因為我們很清楚當中蘊藏著的巨大潛力。女子足球經理黃若玲</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> (Betty) </span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">、女子代表隊主教練陳淑芝連同一眾教練及球員對於本地女子草根及高效足球的發展實在功不可沒。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">女子足球於過去時常被忽略,不時獲分配最差的訓練時間、地區及場地,但她們對足球的堅持從未被動搖,昨天的賽事或許正是未來的契機。女子足球被譽為現今體壇發展最迅速的運動之一,香港亦是時候把握這個機遇了。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">感謝所有為香港女子足球發展出一分力以及於昨天一同參與及見證賽事的每一位,我會永遠記得這場賽事以及一眾女將出色的表現。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-46224973113468101712017-03-08T14:35:00.004+08:002017-03-09T13:05:18.806+08:00A Lot to Play For<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It looks like it might go down to the
wire!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Rivalry is a great thing in sport. Think
Liverpool v Manchester United, Barcelona v Real Madrid, Borg v McEnroe, Prost v
Senna, Coe v Ovett, Ali v Foreman, Fischer v Spassky etc etc, the list is
endless. The point is, rivalry makes sport much more thrilling and exciting.
No-one wants to see one team totally dominant like Celtic; currently 27 points
clear at the top of the current Scottish Premiership.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The emerging sporting rivalry between
Eastern and Kitchee is becoming more acute and therefore more intriguing and compelling.
Earlier this season Kitchee gained some bragging rights by beating Eastern in
the final of the HK Senior Shield. A lively crowd of over 6,200 reflected the
intensity and increasing significance of the match-up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">At the time of writing, things are close at
the top of the 2016/17 BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League, very close in fact.
Eastern are 6 points ahead but Kitchee has a game in hand and arguably the
easier run in. I think it could go down to the wire and by that I mean the very
last game of the season on 6<sup>th</sup> May. They are playing each other in
that match and it is a mouth-watering prospect – potentially a winner takes all
scenario. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Being crowned Champions and picking up the
winners cheque together with getting one over on a close rival is prize enough,
but this year there is even more at stake. The winner of the 2016/17 BOC Life HKPL
will in all probability gain an automatic entry into the group stage of the 2018
AFC Champions League (subject to our AFC ranking when places are allocated).
Ironically, Eastern’s participation in the CL group stage this season makes
their domestic title aspirations a little more difficult because the CL games
come thick and fast. As we have seen already they are physically and mentally
draining encounters. Playing more often at a higher level can only be good for
Hong Kong football in the long term but will this make the difference in this
season’s title run in? Only time will tell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I would not like to bet on the outcome of
the 2016/17 BOC Life HKPL right now and there are bound to be twists and turns
in fortune between now and the end of the season. As far as I am concerned the
rivalry between these two top teams can only be good for Hong Kong football.
May the best team win!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Mark Sutcliffe CEO, March 2017<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">宿敵之爭</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b>
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<b><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">季尾自有分曉</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">體壇一直以來不乏宿敵的存在。正如利物浦與曼聯、巴塞隆拿與皇家馬德里、波格與麥根萊</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> (</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">網球</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">)</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">、保魯斯與冼拿</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> (</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">賽車</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">)</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">、科伊與奧韋特</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> (</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">跑步</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">)</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">、阿里與福爾曼</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> (</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">拳擊</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">) </span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">、</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Fischer</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">與</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Spassky (</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">國際象棋</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">)</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">等等。宿敵之間的較量令運動變得更刺激及引人入勝,沒多少人會對壟斷的情況感太大興趣,就好像蘇格蘭超級聯賽暫時於榜首以</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">27</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">分遙遙領先的些路迪一樣。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">至於港超聯方面,東方龍獅與傑志之間的宿敵關係越見明顯,令賽事更具吸引力及話題性。超過</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">6,200</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">名球迷入場見證傑志於較早前的高級組銀牌決賽中擊敗宿敵奪冠,更證明球迷對兩隊之間比拼的關注度日漸提升。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">目前,兩隊正於中銀人壽香港超級聯賽榜的前列位置中鬥得難分難解,東方龍獅暫時多打一場的情況下以</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">6</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">分的差距領先傑志,結果大有可能於</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">5</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">月</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">6</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">日的本球季最後一輪賽事才有分曉,屆時兩隊將會碰頭為冠軍寶座而戰。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-12650363203806703562017-03-02T15:56:00.002+08:002017-03-03T10:59:22.564+08:00No Pain, No Gain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN-US">I am proud that a team from Hong Kong is
playing in the group stage of the AFC Champions League. Also let’s not forget
that we almost had two teams competing, following Kitchee’s brave performance
in the qualification phase. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Playing at this level marks real progress
and is a stepping stone to where we want to be (one of the top countries in
East Asia) but make no mistake the step up in terms of quality and intensity of
football is huge. The difference between the HKPL/AFC Cup level and the AFC CL
is a gulf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">This was exemplified perfectly by Eastern’s
recent baptism of fire against Guangzhou Evergrande away from home. As I sat in
the stand watching as the players walked out before the match, the adrenaline
was flowing, I wondered what it must be like to play in front of 38,000 people
and in such a hostile atmosphere. I was joyful and hopeful at the thought of a
Hong Kong team competing at that level but also fearful for what could lie
ahead. After all, Eastern were up against a team reputedly worth US$400m, who
are serial winners of the CSL, have a World Cup winning Coach and are previous
winners of the competition. David v Goliath was a much more evenly matched
contest by comparison.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Almost immediately after the kickoff my
fear turned to dread. Seldom have I seen a dream unravel so quickly. From where
I was sat the sending off was harsh but it became apparent that it was going to
be a long hard night. I was just thinking that things couldn’t get any worse
when the second player was sent off for a second bookable offence. The game was
effectively over and ‘damage limitation’ became the only viable game plan. Symbolically
it then started raining heavily and because I wasn’t under cover I got soaked.
I refused to let my mood become as black as the sky because I kept reminding
myself that a team from Hong Kong was out there on the pitch competing at the
highest level in Asia. I felt warm inside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">9 v 11 was never going to be easy
especially when playing against better players who are on a HK$3m bonus per
goal! (Ultimately the bonus pot was larger than Eastern’s budget for the whole
season). I think the team did well to keep the score down to 7-0 with the
goalkeeper again making some great saves, including one from the penalty spot.
He was arguably the ‘man of the match’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">What impressed me most was the attitude of
the coach and players in defeat. That is the true mark of quality. Their heads
were held high and they vowed to use it as a learning experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Last night playing at home to Mong Kok
against Kawasaki Frontale provided evidence of this good team spirit and also
that Hong Kong clubs deserve their place in this competition. Eastern created a
chance in the first 30 seconds and came out confident, positive and fast. The
capacity crowd made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. This is what
it’s all about! Passion, noise, intensity – I love it and so do the people of
Hong Kong. Champions League football was one of my goals when I came here and
collectively we have achieved it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Eastern played well and to their credit
rather than being traumatized by their experience in Guangzhou, they seemed
galvanized and determined. The reality is they could have won. Granted they had
a man advantage for most of the match but let’s not forget that the team from
Japan have much more experience and are arguably man for man better players –
for now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">What impressed me most was that immediately
after the game I went to congratulate the coach on gaining the first ever point
for a Hong Kong team in the Champions League. She looked at me and said ‘We
should have had three’. Great attitude and it augurs well for the future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">There will be more tough nights ahead in
this campaign and hopefully in future competitions too. There is truth in the old
adage ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ or to put it another way…no
pain, no gain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mark Sutcliffe CEO, March 2017</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.hkfa.com/upload/newsimage/news/2017/20170301/20170301f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://www.hkfa.com/upload/newsimage/news/2017/20170301/20170301f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">我為有一支香港球隊於亞冠分組賽內競逐而感到驕傲,而事實上傑志於外圍賽的精彩表現令香港差點便有兩支球隊同時躋身分組賽階段。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">這亦正正標誌著我們於足球發展路上的進程以及目標</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> (</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">成為東亞地區最高足球水平之一</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">)</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">。當然,要一步登天到達亞冠的水準及強度是極具難度的,而港超聯或亞協盃本身之水平與亞冠亦存在非常大的距離。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">這亦可從上月東方作客廣州恆大之賽事中反映出來。比賽當日坐於看台的我看著球員於開賽前步出球場的一幕時感到熱血沸騰,不斷想像球員於</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">38,000</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">名觀眾前以及作客的惡劣氣氛下作賽會是何等感受。當時我對香港球隊終可於高水平之賽事上競賽感到喜悅以及充滿希望的,但同時亦憂慮賽事之進程及結果。畢竟,東方正與一支據說總值超過</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">4</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">億美元、於中超連年稱霸、由世界盃冠軍教頭領軍並曾經奪得亞冠殊榮的球隊對賽,如要形容雙方之差距,最貼切的莫過於「大衛對巨人」了。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">開賽不久後我的憂慮隨即變成事實。從我的位置上觀看,該紅牌判罰似乎略嚴,這亦令比賽變得更艱難,而第二面紅牌的出現更是雪上加霜。當時那一刻結果彷如已成定局一般,而唯一可做的似乎是盡量減少失球。那時剛巧開始下起傾盆大雨,而坐在沒有遮蓋位置的我亦全身濕透,不過當我想起球場上正有一支香港球隊仍在於亞洲最高水平之比賽中拼盡作賽時,我不但沒讓自己的心情變得如天色般陰沉,反而感到溫暖。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">最令我印象深刻的是教練及球員於落敗時的正面態度,昂首地視之為珍貴的學習經驗。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">昨晚返回旺角大球場主場迎戰川崎前鋒的比賽,正好體現這良好的團體精神,亦再次證明香港球會足以立足於這項賽事之中。東方出場時充滿自信及積極態度,甫開賽</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">30</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">秒已製造了埋門機會,全場爆滿的氣氛及聲勢更是無法比擬的。激情、吶喊打氣聲、緊張程度,這正正是我以及香港人所喜愛的!亞冠是當初我到這裡的目標,而憑著各方的努力及付出,我們終於做到了!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.hkfa.com/upload/newsimage/news/2017/20170301/20170301b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://www.hkfa.com/upload/newsimage/news/2017/20170301/20170301b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">東方並沒有受第一場於廣州時的落敗所打擊,反而變得更堅定及充滿鬥志。事實上他們差點就能取得勝利,姑勿論於比賽大部分時間多踢一人,對手川崎前鋒畢竟是一支經驗更豐富、球員質素更勝一籌的球隊。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">令我印象最深刻的是,完場後我立即上前恭喜主教練陳婉婷獲得香港球隊於亞冠賽事中歷史性的第一分,她答道:「我們應可全取三分的。」她的積極態度令未來充滿憧憬。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">分組賽尚未完結,而多場更困難及充滿挑戰性的比賽將接踵而來。正如老生常談的一句說話,「一分耕耘,一分收穫」。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">香港足球總會行政總裁薛基輔</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 新細明體, serif; font-size: 10pt;">二</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;">○</span><span style="font-family: 新細明體, serif; font-size: 10pt;">一七年三月</span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-66516015346024182492017-01-24T15:37:00.001+08:002017-01-24T15:38:33.078+08:00When the Going Gets Tough!<div class="MsoNormal">
I would say that we had a ‘dream’ draw in
the World Cup Qualifiers. Some would say that we have been given a ‘nightmare’
draw in the Asian Cup Qualifiers. Certainly I don’t think any of the teams we
have drawn (DPR Korea, Lebanon and Malaysia) would have been our first choice
in their respective pots. Travelling to DPR Korea and Lebanon will be difficult
and the opponents will be tough. Malaysia are no pushovers either as we know
from experience. All four teams will fancy their chances of getting to the finals,
especially DPR Korea who clearly start as favourites to win the group. The DPR
Korea Head Coach has the distinct advantage of working with his players on a
full time basis.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We got a flying start in the World Cup
qualifiers and this gave us momentum in the competition. This time we have
Lebanon away first up (March) followed by DPR Korea at home (June), neither of
these will be easy fixtures to say the least. We’re going to have to be at our
best to get results from these games.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Right, that’s enough negativity. The draw
has been made, we know the magnitude of the task and qualifying for the finals (UAE
2019) remains our goal. I know we can do it. So we start the hard work, right
here, right now. I have already communicated with Coach KIM and when he returns
tomorrow we will plan our strategy. All of the qualification matches fall at
the end of each 10 day FIFA match-day period so we can arrange some friendly
fixtures and training camps to enable us to prepare properly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We have a great team spirit and work ethic
and everyone will fight for Hong Kong. The whole team is determined and
passionate. Furthermore, I know our loyal fans will give their support and this
means a lot to the coaches and players in particular. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">If and hopefully, when we qualify, we will
know that we have done it the hard way rather than relying on an easy draw. As
the saying goes….when the going gets tough, the tough gets going! <b>Go Hong Kong<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Mark
Sutcliffe CEO, January 2017</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-16033535119105378682016-12-20T14:32:00.000+08:002016-12-20T14:33:03.553+08:00Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fe_0D5Qw4-RwT91z1W8oXgICo6kQhny7mTFXKpRPdzj9DE76o9F4rR2PRK9raEGy0WZdMVEIQR9nXMwqJCb_EuIyZLfOxRgQ19ign1NuaAmNM05rVoqvkTN94omVcaeH4mPuTpFjA9Xg/s1600/20161220a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fe_0D5Qw4-RwT91z1W8oXgICo6kQhny7mTFXKpRPdzj9DE76o9F4rR2PRK9raEGy0WZdMVEIQR9nXMwqJCb_EuIyZLfOxRgQ19ign1NuaAmNM05rVoqvkTN94omVcaeH4mPuTpFjA9Xg/s400/20161220a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Another year has flown by; I can’t believe
how quickly it has gone! It’s been another busy and successful year for the
HKFA with some notable achievements. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">2017 promises to be even more eventful and
exciting. Some highlights will be:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">l<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">The opening of the long-awaited
HK Jockey Club HKFA Football Training Centre in July<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">The Asian Cup Qualifiers
starting In March<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">The Asia Trophy (hopefully in
July)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">The AFC Champions League
throughout the year<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">To my mind these high profile events and
matches are no more important than the development work we do and I look
forward to further growth and improvement in our grass roots programmes, youth
training, all representative teams, futsal, girls and women’s football, referee
development, coach education course etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I could not do the work I do without the
help and support of my tremendous colleagues here at the HKFA. We have a great
team of professional and passionate people and I would like to thank them for
all their efforts and hard work. I would also like to thank the Board and the
many Committees we have for their direction and commitment. Once again 2016 has
been characterized by teamwork and it would be remiss of my not to thank all of
our partners and stakeholders including the Government, the Jockey Club,
commercial sponsors, partners and suppliers, clubs, players, coaches, referees,
the media and fans. Together we are all determined to make Hong Kong football
successful. It is my privilege to be part of that team. Happy Christmas to each
and everyone of you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I am excited about the challenges and
opportunities ahead in 2017 and give you my word that I will do everything I
can to continue the upward trends in Hong Kong Football.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Mark Sutcliffe CEO, December 2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-62670243741802576672016-12-07T17:59:00.002+08:002016-12-07T17:59:55.775+08:00Best In Asia!<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best In Asia!</span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b>
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<span lang="EN-US">Last Year the HKFA won the prestigious <b>Developing Member Association Award</b> at
the glittering AFC Annual Awards Dinner. We didn’t apply under this category
this time because we wanted to give other Member Associations a chance! However,
we were nominated for the best <b>Grassroots
Football Programme </b>but unfortunately didn’t win that accolade this time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">As most people know the Eastern Head
Coach Chan Yuen-ting was nominated for and won the <b>Women’s Coach of the Year Award</b>. This is a fantastic achievement
and I offer her my sincere congratulations. It caps an unbelievable year for
her. The success of CHAN Yuen-ting has been phenomenal, equaled only by the
world-wide attention that has been generated. Whilst undoubtedly being in the
right place at the right time initially, she certainly grasped the opportunity
with both hands and overcame many challenges that would have been daunting to
most people. The success of Eastern in winning the League under her leadership
is a testament to her skills, knowledge and dedication. What is equally
impressive is that she has retained her humility throughout the blaze of
publicity. She is a credit to Hong Kong, to Hong Kong Football but most
importantly to herself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The AFC Award is one of many accolades
she has won and they are all important in raising the profile of Hong Kong
football. The HKFA leads the way in gender equality. We have a female Director,
a female Head of Competitions, a leading lady referee, a female Women's Head
Coach and Women's Football Manager not to mention the many females working in
senior positions in our clubs. Since integrating girls and women's football
into the HKFA in 2011 we have made huge strides in terms of increased
participation and we have plans to develop this even further.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I believe that Ms Yuen-ting is a role
model generally for young people to ‘follow their dreams’ but more specifically
for football too. I am sure she will inspire people to become involved in
football in many capacities including as players and coaches, irrespective of
gender. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">HKFA
Competitions Team<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I was inspired to write this blog
because of a letter I received from the President of the EAFF following our
hosting of their Round 2 Qualification Competition in November. For those of
you who don’t know him, Kohzo Tashima-san is a former Japan international
player and Head Coach and is now a Member of the FIFA Council as well as
playing major roles in both the AFC and EAFF. He is one of the most respected
and experienced people in football and must have witnessed more tournaments
than virtually anyone else. I reproduce below what he had to say about the
HKFA. For Kohzo-san to refer to the ‘best competition team in Asia’ is very
heartwarming. The staff of the HKFA get very little thanks and recognition for
the tireless work they do. It is little things like this that makes the job
worthwhile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I am proud of the work that we do and
will continue to do my best to lead the best in Asia! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Mark Sutcliffe CEO, December 2016 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-63926551872563344432016-11-23T16:03:00.000+08:002016-11-23T16:03:57.464+08:00AFC Champions League<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">AFC Champions League<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In the job I do I
expect scrutiny and occasional criticism, it goes with the territory. I
understand that in trying to improve and develop football in Hong Kong, I will
ruffle a few feathers along the way. However when that criticism is unjust,
personally defamatory and questions my integrity, I am entitled to defend
myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Last Friday (timed
perfectly so I was out of the country) Kitchee held a press conference and I
was personally blamed for an ‘administrative blunder’ the result of which means
that Kitchee will not be playing in the AFC Champions League Group stages. I
have received further criticism from Southern (the second club affected) for a
lack of communication.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I have to set the
record straight on these issues. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I am in a difficult
situation here. I do not normally discuss what happens in Board meetings
because I do not think it is the right thing to do. However, Kitchee has already
made it public knowledge that I disagreed with the original Board decision to
nominate Kitchee and Southern for places in AFC Club competitions for 2017. I
think it was indiscrete of Kitchee to mention in public what happened behind
closed doors and I can only assume that the only reason the club is
highlighting this is because they think I somehow failed to implement the
Board’s resolution because I didn’t agree with the decision. I have been
further accused of impartiality because they think I favoured Eastern over
Kitchee. These accusations are untrue and serious. I have asked the club to
retract them but I won’t hold my breath waiting for a response. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It is true that at
the Board meeting in August I advised the Board to nominate Eastern and Kitchee
in that order in accordance with the AFC criteria. I could see no justification
to reject Eastern because they had won the League, had submitted an AFC
Champions League Licence application and had written to the HKFA asking to
withdraw their previous letter which stated they had financial problems. My
advice was rejected. You can argue that it was taken in good faith because at
that time we did not know definitively how many places we would have in the AFC
CL or whether club licence applications would be successful. It was
theoretically possible (but unlikely) that Kitchee would be eligible for the
AFC CL (if Eastern did not get an AFC club licence) and Southern eligible to be
entered into the AFC Cup (if we only got one place in the AFC CL). However, I
believed it was the wrong decision then and I still do. It is one reason why we
are in this mess right now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Another reason of
course which no-one seems to be mentioning is that Kitchee did not win the
League. If they had, none of this would have happened. Perhaps they should use
this as motivation to win the HKPL this season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">There seems to be an
assumption that whichever teams Hong Kong nominate will automatically be
entered into the competition. I am being blamed for the fact that now it
appears that Kitchee can’t play in the group stages. What is being conveniently
forgotten is that it is not our competition and therefore not our decision. All
we can do is nominate teams. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The ultimate
decision does not even rest with the AFC. To avoid any accusations of bias or
misconduct, the AFC has established an independent competitions committee to
make decisions in relation to the AFC Club Competitions. At the time of writing
this committee has not met. It meets on 24<sup>th</sup> November. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Based on our
ranking now, the HKFA are likely to get two places in the CL. The criteria that
the independent committee will apply in deciding which teams from each Member
Association will be eligible have not changed. As far as the AFC CL is
concerned it has always been the League Champions (Eastern) that should get the
number 1 place. That is why it is called the Champions League. The number 2
position goes to the winner of the ‘domestic’ cup competition. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Eligibility to play
in the CL is however first and foremost based on whether or not the club has an
AFC CL club licence. Eastern had decided in April to apply for this level
licence and had submitted all of the documentation required by the AFC deadline
of 30th June. It is important to note that this was BEFORE the Board meeting to
decide which team to nominate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Kitchee’s argument
that the HKFA (and me in particular) in some way favoured Eastern in relation
to the attainment of a club licence is simply not true. It is not the HKFA that
grants the licence. There is an independent First Instance Body that assesses
applications and ultimately it is the AFC that decides. Again the clue is in
the title, it is an AFC CL Club Licence, not a HKFA Club Licence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It is
understandable that Kitchee is upset that Eastern have an AFC Club Licence
because that means that Kitchee are not eligible for the number 1 position. This
obviously puts the club in a difficult situation with players, coaches, fans,
sponsors etc because there has been an expectation following the Board’s
decision that they will be playing in the group stages. The truth is that this
was only ever an assumption. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The contention that
I am in some way responsible for Eastern obtaining a licence is simply not a
sustainable position. It is my job to encourage clubs and to help them to apply
for the higher level AFC Licence because it is a good tool for self-improvement
and demonstrates to the football authorities that Hong Kong football is
professional. I am not paid to block application and in any case as I have
pointed out, the application was submitted before the decision as to which
clubs to nominate. It is worth pointing out that the Secretariat helped four
clubs gain the AFC CL Club Licence, Eastern, Kitchee, South China and Southern.
In the case of Southern, the Secretariat worked with the club on an
‘extraordinary’ application after the Board’s decision because they had missed
the deadline to apply. This is hardly indicative of an administration working
against a Board resolution. At the end of the day the clubs decide whether to
apply, not the HKFA. Again, I reiterate the HKFA does not award the licences
either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Another point being
overlooked is that if it wasn’t for the hard work of the HKFA Secretariat lead
by me to introduce a club licence into Hong Kong football (and many of the
clubs fought against it), Hong Kong would not have a place in the group stages
of the AFC CL. The fact that we are now one of only 6 Member Associations in
East Asia (the others being Australia, China, Japan, Korea Republic and
Thailand) eligible for this status is testament to how far we have come. We
should be being thanked not denigrated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Another thing that
was missing from Kitchee’s condemnation of me was any reason why I would favour
one team over another. It simply doesn’t make sense. I want all of the teams in
Hong Kong to be as successful as possible. I hold Kitchee in high regard and
have been consistent in saying so. In many respects they are an example to the
other clubs in Hong Kong. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">One the main
criticisms of me was that in October I was made aware that the AFC independent
committee when it meets on 24<sup>th</sup> November may annul the number 1
position for HK clubs if Eastern is not nominated and they obtain a club
licence. It is true that this information was brought to my attention but only
indirectly and unofficially. I requested that this information be put in
writing so I could take some official action. I was told that this could not
happen and to date no official confirmation has ever been received. I can’t act
on second hand information that wasn’t even sent to me from a person I don’t
know. I did not deliberately withhold information from any of the clubs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I was not personally
aware that the HK application needed to be submitted on Monday 14<sup>th</sup>
until the evening of Sunday 13<sup>th</sup>. Up until then I assumed that we
would need to apply after the AFC independent committee had met on the 24<sup>th</sup>
to confirm how many teams would be eligible to play. Because I was aware that
there was a ‘potential’ issue I asked our General Secretary to put an
‘Emergency Item’ on our Board Agenda for 5<sup>th</sup> December. I thought we
would have time to address the issue after the committee decision but before
the AFC CL/Cup Draw which is due to be held on 13<sup>th</sup> December. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As soon as I
realized the urgency of the situation I phoned the AFC General Secretary who
confirmed the likely outcome i.e. the committee would decide that HK should
lose its number one place. Faced with this information I informed the Chairman
and had a long conversation with Ken Ng from Kitchee. I tried all that day (Monday
14<sup>th</sup>) to get the Board to change the resolution but failed to get a
sufficient number before the deadline. Therefore the Secretariat had no option
but to apply on behalf of Kitchee and Southern in accordance with the original
Board resolution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">On Monday 14<sup>th</sup>
I exchanged 34 whatsapp messages with Ken Ng from Kitchee as well as a half
hour telephone conversation explaining all of the above. Despite having this
background information and rather than trying to sort things out collectively
and in private, he chose to go ahead with the press conference using me as a
convenient scapegoat. To be honest I am still mystified as to what
‘administrative blunder’ he is referring to. It’s not the HKFA’s decision as to
how many teams will play or which teams will be selected. In any case this
decision has not been made yet. At the point in time when the press conference
was held, the HKFA had applied on behalf of Kitchee and Southern. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Coincidentally I
was due to meet with officials from the AFC in Korea on Saturday 19th. Obviously
I did not want to end up with a situation where Hong Kong only had one team
playing in the AFC CL so I asked if we could resubmit the application. I also
discovered that the method for calculating the Member Association ranking will
change from next season and that only having one team playing in 2017 could
affect the Hong Kong ranking in future years thus putting in jeopardy the
chance of retaining our coveted place in the Group stage. It then became even
more important that the Board changed its mind. At that point I tried to call
Ken Ng to explain the implications for Kitchee. He didn’t take or return my
call. I sent him messages which I know he received. From that point in time he
changed his stance and started to support a new resolution to re-apply on
behalf of Eastern and Kitchee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I explained all of
this to the Board when I returned to Hong Kong and a new resolution was agreed at
a Board meeting on Monday afternoon to apply on behalf of Eastern and Kitchee.
We will all have to wait and see what the committee decides tomorrow but I am
confident that Hong Kong will have two places in the AFC CL, Eastern in the
group stages and Kitchee in the preliminary knock out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">If this is the
outcome then I am sorry that this will affect Kitchee’s plans for the CNY. I am
happy to work with the club to find amicable solutions. I do not bear a grudge
and remain supportive of the club. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I also understand
that it is disappointing for Southern. I have been criticized for a lack of
communication with Southern. I received an email from the club when I switched
on my phone in Korea to which I immediately replied. I also wrote to the club
after the new Board decision before we issued a press release. I can’t say any
more than that other than I continue to communicate with the club and think
that they now have a very clear picture of what has transpired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I hope this
detailed explanation helps people to understand how this unfortunate situation
has evolved. I think there are lessons to be learnt on all sides. The important
decisions are yet to be made by the AFC independent competition committee. I
hope that the result of this is that Hong Kong has two teams in the AFC CL and
that they will be placed in the right order to maintain the sporting integrity
of the competition. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US">The sad thing for me is that we should be celebrating the fact that we
have achieved two teams playing in the Region’s most prestigious club
competition. Instead Hong Kong football has shot itself in the foot and reinforced
negative public perceptions.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Mark Sutcliffe CEO,
November 2016</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-88411941400527428372016-11-04T12:34:00.002+08:002016-11-04T12:34:23.404+08:00Why FIFA has got it wrong this time<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why FIFA has got it wrong this time</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">FIFA and the home country Member
Associations of England, Scotland and Wales have reached an impasse regarding
Law 4, The Player’s Equipment part 4, Other Equipment. In a nutshell the
Associations want their players to wear black armbands with a red poppy emblem
on them during World Cup qualifier matches to be played this month. England
play Scotland at Wembley on 11<sup>th</sup> November which just happens to be
Armistice Day, the commemoration of the end of the First World War. The poppy
is a traditional symbol of remembrance in recognition of those who gave their
lives in all conflicts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In 2011 FIFA agreed that players could wear
the same armbands. Indeed it was instrumental in deciding that this mark of
respect was appropriate. The Law has not changed since then. It states that <b>‘Equipment must not have any political,
religious or personal slogans, statements or images’</b>. In 2011 FIFA decided
that the poppy symbol did not infringe this law. Clearly they decided then that
the poppy was not a political, religious or personal slogan. I would agree and
I think most sensible people would. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The FIFA of 2016 is very different to the
FIFA of 2011. The transformation has been remarkable and positive. It is now
much more transparent, effective and inclusive. So I am perplexed and
disappointed that they have taken this stance. I just don’t seem why it is
necessary to even get involved. FIFA is very busy rebuilding its reputation and
I am sure has more important issues to deal with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It appears that both England and Scotland
are going to defy FIFA and wear the armbands anyway, content to take any
punishment that FIFA might apply – and the General Secretary has hinted that
sanctions may apply. At the time of writing, Wales is yet to decide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As we all know the world is an unstable and
war-torn place right now. Football has a role to play in bringing people
together and promoting harmony. This is an opportunity for FIFA to demonstrate
compassion. Surely they should be endorsing and promoting the remembrance of
the fallen rather than considering the imposition of draconian measures in
direct contradiction of its own previous decisions? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Let’s just hope that in the end common
sense prevails. Knowing a little about the ‘new’ FIFA, I am sure it will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mark Sutcliffe, CEO, November 2016 </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-3505678060388502522016-09-14T12:07:00.001+08:002016-09-14T12:07:32.185+08:00When will teams learn?<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When will teams learn?</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Last night I yet again watched a team
implode by adopting unfathomable and deplorable tactics. The match in question
was the AFC Cup quarter final between South China AA and Johur Dasul Ta’zim
(JDT). The visitors came to Hong Kong with a deservedly high reputation. They
won the competition in 2015 (beating SCAA 3-1 in Hong Kong at the same stage),
won their R16 match this year 7-2 and are Champions of their domestic league.
It promised to be a difficult night for the home team. And so it was at first.
The Caroliners were forced to defend and JDT outplayed them, particularly in
midfield. Their control, passing and pressing was superior and they were
clearly the better team. They went ahead early in the first half with a
somewhat fortuitous goal (I’m being generous to the SC defence) and it looked for
all the world as if they would win the game comfortably. They should have done!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Then in the second half as South China
started to show some signs of improvment, JDT seemed to settle for a 1-0
victory and inexplicably started some frustratingly negative tactics. Serious timewasting,
feigning injury, falling over for no reason etc became the norm. In my book
this behavior is at best unsportsmanlike and at worst cheating. It ruined the
game and for JDT was totally counter-productive. I have no doubt that if they
had continued to play football and focused on positive play instead of adopting
petulant, pathetic histrionics they would have gone on to win. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In the end both poetic and footballing
justice was done when South China equalized deep into the game; much to the
delight of the crowd who had become increasingly annoyed with the visitors.
When away teams adopt these negative tactics it merely winds the home crowd up
which in turns spurs on the home team. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The shift in momentum caused by this
behaviour must be apparent to the away team coaches and officials and yet it
seems that they often instigate, encourage and condone the negative actions of
their players. It’s as much their fault, if not more so because they dictate
the tempo, rhythm, personnel and tactics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">South China should be out of this tie by
now and yet they have hope in the second leg. OK it’s still an uphill battle
but JDT, who should have been home and dry, will have some concerns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">When
will teams learn to just play positive football instead of messing around?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I think the AFC needs to do something about
it too because if things carry on like this fans will lose patience and simply
stop watching. This in turn will reduce the impact of sponsors and
broadcasters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It’s not the first time I’ve highlighted
these sorts of incidents and I make no apology for doing so again. Our
‘beautiful’ game was pretty ugly at times last night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mark Sutcliffe, CEO, September 2016 </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-65451051109277469372016-08-24T11:46:00.001+08:002016-09-07T12:26:53.699+08:00What Lessons Can Hong Kong Learn from the success of Team GB at Rio 2016?<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What Lessons Can Hong Kong Learn from the success of Team GB at Rio 2016?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz50RQ4ZEkzogzZUaV-51IRkm1um_FCEMUAa4ECdWRqUlaRa6JvCCtz6i6i771HPt1vLvAH6ExUDLfZsBR2ghlswIf5NGIhRXelbWdSnXk9YQfBWM_340VR6E7qi1QJyH-fMqO_EpX1QIh/s1600/20160907a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz50RQ4ZEkzogzZUaV-51IRkm1um_FCEMUAa4ECdWRqUlaRa6JvCCtz6i6i771HPt1vLvAH6ExUDLfZsBR2ghlswIf5NGIhRXelbWdSnXk9YQfBWM_340VR6E7qi1QJyH-fMqO_EpX1QIh/s400/20160907a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">(Image provided by Sportsroad)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">As most
readers of this blog will know, I grew up in England. As a young child in the
late 1960s and early 1970s I instinctively knew that sporting success was part
of GBs heritage and culture, it was ingrained and just acknowledged. With, what
in retrospect seems like arrogance, we believed we had ‘invented’ most sports
and had a right to be good at them. Well, we had just won the Football World
Cup! I grew up in a sporting household, my father had been a professional
cricketer and physical education teacher. Together with my older brother, I
spent every waking hour, when not at school, playing as much sport as possible
- cricket, football, swimming, table tennis, snooker, you name it we played it.
In my formative years, school sport was important too. We played against other
schools after hours during the week and at weekends we often played for the
school in the morning and a local club team in the afternoon. Millions of boys
were just like me – we all wanted to be the next Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton or
in my brother’s case Geoffrey Boycott. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">And then
towards the end of the 1970s and into the 1980s there was a change of culture.
The liberal-minded people in charge of education decided that competition was
bad, because not everyone was capable of winning! Winning was suddenly bad
apparently. This change of policy, coupled to teachers refusing to take
extra-curricular activities because of a dispute with Margaret Thatcher, led to
a steep and immensely damaging decline in GB sport. In a short space of time,
we went from world beaters to a nation of heroic failures, personified
perfectly by ski-jumper ‘Eddie the Eagle’ in 1988 (if you haven’t seen the film
by the way, watch it; it’s brilliant). By that time I had followed my father’s
footsteps into a career in sport and for someone who loved sport and reveled in
its many intrinsic benefits, the decline was humiliating and depressing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The
slide was brought into sharp focus in 1996 when at the Atlanta Olympics GB
finished 36<sup>th</sup> with a mere 9 medals in total and only 1 gold. That
was won by rowers Pinsent and Redgrave whose success was based solely on
supreme talent, enormous physical prowess and extreme personal sacrifice. It
owed absolutely nothing to the sporting establishment. Sport received very
little political support or funding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Wind the
clock forward 20 years to the Rio Olympics. Team GB finished second in the
medals table (ahead of China), smashed their targets and became the first ever
country to increase the number of medals won having hosted the previous Games. Of
the 366 athletes that went to the Rio Games for Team GB, 129 of them - just
over 35% - returned with a medal, including every member of the 15-strong track
cycling team. Of 31 sports, GB finished on the podium in 19 - a strike rate of
just over 61%. In terms of golds, GB was way ahead of the pack, finishing with
at least one in 15 sports, more than any other country, even the United States.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">This is
a remarkable turn-around and has left many people around the world scratching
their heads wondering – ‘how have they done it’?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Success in sport is not rocket science. I believe it
only needs two things; cultural significance and resources.</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Dealing
with resources first, it is absolutely clear that the catalyst for the profound
improvement and success of GB sport has been the introduction of the National
Lottery and the use of a set percentage of funds raised specifically for sport.
This has gone into; building world class facilities, the hosting of major
events (Commonwealth games 2002 and 2014 and the Olympic Games 2012), funding
for Governing Bodies and to pay the training and competition expenses of
individual athletes. National Sports Associations have been able to employ
expert coaches and to fund the sports science support services that are so
vital to athlete progression. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">No sport
demonstrates this better than cycling. GB dominated track cycling in Rio, winning
six of 10 disciplines and collecting 11 medals in total, nine more than the
Dutch and Germans in joint second. GB success in cycling transcends the
Olympics too as demonstrated by Chris Froome’s success in the Tour de France.
Their amazing success has been built on a strategy of ‘marginal gains’ where
basically nothing, and I mean nothing (google it and you will see what I mean),
has been left to chance. There is no doubt in my mind that with the right
resources their success can be copied and replicated. However it is impossible to
do so without money. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">What
hasn’t attracted as much attention as the impact of the National Lottery is
that there has also been more investment in school sport in the UK. Specialist
Sports Colleges have been established and importantly, links have been made
between schools and local sports clubs. Pathways to NSA talent identification
programmes have therefore been facilitated.
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<span lang="EN-US">In terms
of cultural significance, what is interesting is that the success of Team GB i.e.
elite sport has been achieved without a corresponding increase in mass
participation. Grass roots participation in sport has actually declined in many
sports (not cycling) in the UK, even after the Olympic Games in 2012. It just
goes to show that there is no direct correlation between the absolute number of
people playing sport at the base and the level of success at the top. The
sports development continuum is not necessarily a pyramid, but more of a ladder.
The secret is identifying those with talent (at a very early age), exposing
them to the right (sporting) environment and providing them with the resources
(time and expert advice) they need to climb from one rung to the next. No stone
unturned, nil compromise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">So why
is the cultural significance of sport so important? Well for me if the
decision-makers are going to take sport seriously they need to be confident
that the majority of the population of a country appreciate that sport is
important, even if most people have no aspiration to be world-class themselves.
The majority of people in the UK know they will never win the lottery or
Olympic Gold but they are happy to buy a ticket in the knowledge that the
proceeds will go to ‘good causes’. A country needs politicians who understand
the value of sport and are prepared to develop a coherent strategy and divert
resources to make it happen. Success in sport needs to be part of a nation’s
DNA like it used to be in the UK and like, thankfully it is once again. Success
breeds success. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">In terms
of Hong Kong, I just don’t see that sport has reached that level of cultural
significance (yet). It’s just not that important to people, to society and
therefore to politicians. As a result sport does not receive the same level of
recognition, priority or the all-important resources. Of course it would not be
true to say that no resources or thought go into sport in Hong Kong. We have
the HKSI for elite athletes, we have some new facilities (such as the
Velodrome) and more in the pipeline hopefully (such as a new Stadium). We have
a new Sports Commissioner who understands sport, which is a step in the right
direction. We have the SF & OC that overseas NSA activities. We have the HK
Schools Sports Federation etc. We have the HK Jockey Club that administers horseracing
and football betting and puts money into sport. In recent years the HKFA has
benefitted from additional funding as a result of a more strategic approach and
better governance, so it would be churlish for me to say that there is no
sporting culture at all.</span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The
reality is though that these are only strands and facets of a sporting
infrastructure. Are they enough and are they joined up as part of a coherent
sports strategy? Having witnessed firsthand the Renaissance of sport in the UK,
I would have to say ‘categorically no’. In my opinion, there are a number of
things that Hong Kong needs to do:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The first thing is to
decide whether, and to what extent, sport is important. If it’s not, that’s
fine; let’s focus on something else, like commerce or tourism. But if the
answer is ‘yes’, then we need to do it properly, rather than the fragmented and
half-hearted way in which it is being done at the moment.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">If I were the Sports
Commissioner I would go to the UK right now and borrow the blueprint.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We then need to
establish a Governmental Agency or NGO with specific responsibility for all sport
across Hong Kong (like UK Sport).</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a priority we must
also prepare a Hong Kong Sports Strategy defining the priorities, objectives
and targets. For example do we see sport as something for everyone for health
and societal benefit or do we want to be successful on a world stage? The plan
would be different depending on the agreed policy objectives. The plan should
cover facilities, participation, events, structures, systems and resources.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">All of the sporting
stakeholders in Hong Kong must buy-into the strategy in a coordinated way,
particularly the Education system and NSAs.</span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">If they do so, the
strategy should find ways in which they can be given the resources to implement
the plan. Most NSAs in Hong Kong are significantly under-funded.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">The Jockey Club gives
a lot of money to sport which is great (and I would be the first to admit that
football has benefitted from this) but I think it is sometimes allocated
reactively rather than strategically. Maybe now is the time to set up a fund
specifically for sports activities, programmes and facilities, linked of course
to the new sports strategy.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">We cannot
under-estimate the importance of schools. The Education system must be at the
heart of any new sports strategy. The HKSI does a great job but often by the
time the athletes go there full time, it’s too late. Specialist sports schools
are key, like the Singapore Sports School that helped deliver its first gold
medal in swimming in Rio. If aspiring athletes are to reach the 10,000 hours
benchmark by the time they are 18 they must find a way to combine intensive
sports training with academic work. This is not happening now.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ol>
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<span lang="EN-US">Hong
Kong was one of the 119 countries not to win any medals at Rio 2016, so we are
not alone. However many of the countries that did win medals have a smaller
populations than Hong Kong and less ability to provide the necessary resources.
There should be no excuses if we want to improve. It took twenty years in the
UK for the transformation to happen. In all probability it would take longer
here because we are starting from a lower base. The point is that if we don’t
make a start now, it will never happen. If Hong Kong is to enjoy any sustained success
in sport, we must all join forces to develop a sporting culture and to devote
more resources to sport. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Rio is
not Hong Kong’s ‘Atlanta’ because we have different cultural expectations, but
we must find a catalyst from somewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Mark
Sutcliffe, CEO August 2016 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578658460757089715.post-83175130458614462502016-08-17T18:23:00.000+08:002016-09-01T12:14:54.840+08:00Hong Kong Premier League 2016/17<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 15pt;">Hong Kong Premier League 2016/17</span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span></b>
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<span lang="EN-US">Back in May when the final whistles were
blown in the English Premier League and the three divisions of the English Football
League, everyone knew immediately which teams would be promoted and relegated
and which teams would therefore be playing in which competitions in 2016/17. Of
course they also knew WHERE all of these teams would be playing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Here in Hong Kong it’s taken until August
(the month when the season is due to start) to finalise teams and venues. This
timescale is equally frustrating for the HKFA, clubs, fans, media, indeed all
stakeholders. I’m afraid it’s a reflection of where professional football in
Hong Kong is right now; it’s still very unsophisticated. “Wasn’t Project
Phoenix supposed to solve the problems”, I hear you say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Well let’s look at that objectively. In
relation to professional football, Project Phoenix recommended a number of
things including; the creation of a new Premier League, implementing a Club Licensing
system etc. When the recommendations were formulated it was recognized that
extra funding would be required. However for understandable reasons, no
additional money was actually allocated by the Government to go directly to
clubs. As a result the HKFA had the resources to administer changes to the
professional tier but not to strengthen the clubs themselves. So the new Hong
Kong Premier League was established and I believe there have been some positive
changes including:</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">New brand and title sponsorship<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Club licencing provides a
framework for professionalization of clubs and improves our position in AFC
competitions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Significantly increased prize
money (x 4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Solidarity fund for poorer
clubs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Creation of player support unit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 46.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Match-manipulation monitoring has
reduced the potential for fixing games<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 46.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">The Government has increased
the funding to District Teams (x 3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">These are all steps in the right direction
and have had some benefit. For example we are now ranked </span>higher by the AFC and
have gained entry into the AFC CL play-offs. However I can fully understand why
some people say that these changes are merely cosmetic and why clubs criticize
the HKFA for not doing enough to help, especially financially. The fact is that
HKFA is doing what it can with the resources available. It costs us around
HK$5m per annum to run the Premier League. More or less everything is done for
the clubs. The HKFA takes care of all match day operations, provides referees,
spends HK$1m+ on marketing and promotion, organizes and administers the
broadcasting arrangements, negotiates the use of venues etc etc. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">You might well ask whether the HKFA should really
be subsidizing professional clubs in this way? I think in the short term, the
answer is yes. A strong professional football league is fundamental to the
overall success of football. It encourages young people to start playing and of
course it ensures a player pathway into the HK Representative Team. The
importance of a strong representative team speaks for itself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I would much prefer the League to be run as
an independent entity (as in many other countries) and indeed this was one of
the recommendations of Project Phoenix. A couple of years ago we tried to make
this happen and established a working party which was supposed to be led by the
clubs to look at structures, resources, timescale etc. The outcome was very
disappointing. There was huge apathy from the clubs once they knew what was
involved. So we are a long way off having an independent league and so in the
meantime it will continue to be run by the HKFA. It is a challenging task, made
more difficult for a number of reasons some of which I will elaborate on below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Continuity
and strength of Clubs</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><b>: </b>As I said at the start of
this blog it is very difficult to plan effectively if you don’t know which
teams will exist from one season to the next. Many clubs in Hong Kong operate
very precariously and are totally dependent on ‘bosses’ and/or sponsors. Most
people know that we target 12 teams for the PL. At one stage this summer it
looked like we could go down from 9 to 8. We would have been criticized for
this and so a number of initiatives were put in place to increase the number.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So for example we reacted positively to
Guangzhou R and F’s request to play in our league. We also encouraged the HK
Football Club to consider promotion. We also looked to re-establish the former
team ‘Saplings’. As it happens all of these initiatives came to fruition and we
have ended up with 11 teams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This has resulted in criticism too. Take
the case of R and F for example. On the face of it, this is no different to
Swansea City from Wales playing in the EPL or Wellington Phoenix from New
Zealand playing in the A League. Of course the political situation is very
different here and I am sure this has stoked some of the negativity. We have
done our best to make the league more sustainable, interesting and competitive
by allowing them to play, subject to meeting certain criteria. They will have to
sign local players, be based in Hong Kong and pay a significant entry fee
(which will be filtered down to the other clubs). I believe they will want to
be competitive and that it will not merely be a development squad. There are
two ways to look at this situation and I would accept there are pros and cons.
Time will tell whether it was the right decision or not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Similarly in the case of the HK Football
Club some people have criticized us for allowing an ‘amateur’ team to
participate. Firstly they did finish second in Division 1 last season so on
sporting merit they have a case. All players will be given a ‘professional’
player’s contract and although I accept that very little money will be payed to
players, there is no ‘minimum wage’ in the Club Licence or League Rules. They
will have to abide by all of the Club Licence requirements and comply with all
other rules and regulations. Whether they will be competitive also remains to
be seen. I have watched a couple of their pre-season friendlies and they are looking
quite solid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The financial resilience of some of the
professional clubs in Hong Kong is so weak that throughout June and July we
could not confirm which teams would play in 2016/17. Even the Champions,
Eastern have had well-publicised financial problems in the closed season. Faced
with these uncertainties, difficult decisions have had to be made. Not everyone
will agree with those decisions but they have been based on what we believe is
the best for HK Football. Like I said, it would be nice to know at the end of
every season which clubs will be playing next season. Club sustainability needs
to be addressed for that to happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Which brings me onto the next major issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Venues</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><b>:</b> Another perennial issue is the availability, quality and choice of
venue. There are so many issues here, it is difficult to know where to start.
With the exception of the HK Stadium and Mong Kok all of the other venues cater
for community use as well as being the home to a professional football team.
The wear and tear inevitably results in the need for maintenance closures. This
season it is particularly bad with a number of stadia being closed for extended
periods of time. It is impossible to plan a regular schedule under these
circumstances. The HK Stadium itself will not be available for December and
from mid-March onwards. This will put huge pressure on the playing surface at
Mong Kok. If it lasts the season in reasonable condition I will be amazed. Many
venues don’t have floodlights, which precludes mid-week fixtures and some still
restrict cheering activities, like banging drums. Until there is a strategy for
addressing these deficiencies, there will always be problems. These manifest
themselves in many ways, not least the spectator numbers. Watching football is
a habit and fans need to know where their team will be playing rather than the
continual move from venue to venue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Club
Licence</span></b><span lang="EN-US">: The CL is an important and accepted part
of football. The HKPL Licence is based on the AFC CL Club Licence criteria but
with certain allowances made in recognition that some of our clubs are starting
from a low base. I would contend that there is nothing in the HKPL Licence that
a good professional football club shouldn’t already be doing. It is based on
common sense principles. Some clubs in Hong Kong take it seriously (especially
the ones that aspire to play in AFC Competitions). The sad truth is that other
clubs pay lip service to it and do the minimum to pass - whilst others try and
ignore it altogether. The clubs that fall into the latter category clearly feel
that we need them more than they need the Licence! In other words; would we
really kick them out of the League if they fail? Some will fail this year and I
will be recommending sanctions to the Board. It is unlikely that they will be kicked
out though because this would be counter-productive. It is disappointing that some
clubs view the Licence as something to avoid rather than viewing it as a tool
for self-improvement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">There are other issues and problems that
impact negatively on professional football in Hong Kong such as a lack of club-based
marketing and fan engagement, the legacy of integrity issues, poor treatment of
players, lack of respect for officials; I could go on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">If I am brutally honest I would say that
Project Phoenix and some of the changes we have tried to introduce have brought
into focus the long term structural and cultural problems that have existed for
some time, rather than solved them. Some issues have been addressed but others
haven’t. We simply haven’t had the resources to make sufficient interventions
in professional football to make a difference. I think it’s time to face facts
and understand that the ‘evolutionary’ approach (which is all that could be
achieved under Project Phoenix) needs to be replaced by more of a
‘revolutionary’ approach. You only have to look at what is being done across
the border to see that it is possible to do this if there is support from all
stakeholders including the Government, the commercial/corporate sector, Clubs,
fans, the media and yes, the Football Association too. This will mean finding
ways to give the clubs more money but make it conditional on taking the Club
Licence more seriously and actively delivering on youth development, coaching
standards etc. Money has made a difference to us in other areas such as Referee
Development, Women’s Football, Futsal, Grassroots Football etc and it could
make a difference to professional football too. The public sector must be a
more proactive catalyst for commercial investment. I am coming to the view that
nothing will change significantly unless there are wholesale, radical changes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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This summer has been a frustrating one for
those of us who want professional football in Hong Kong to be competitive,
sustainable and attractive. We at the HKFA have done our best to plan and
prepare for 2016/17. It’s good that we have 11 teams and that each team will
play 20 matches in the League and take part in 3 cup competitions. I really
hope that it will be an exciting season with good quality football and that the
gap between the top and bottom clubs is not too great. Now that the season is
upon us, I sincerely wish that everyone can focus on matters on the pitch. I
would urge fans to get behind their teams and the League.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Whilst my ever-enthusiastic and
conscientious colleagues here at the HKFA will be doing their best to organize
and promote the HKPL, I will be putting together a more ambitious and ‘revolutionary’
plan for the future of professional football in Hong Kong for future seasons. I
already have lots of ideas, but these need to be formulated into a coherent
plan. I hope to be able to share a discussion document on this subject before
Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mark Sutcliffe, CEO, August 2016</span><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;">2016-17 </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;">香港超級聯賽<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">與外國其他頂級聯賽不同,香港超級聯賽僅於<span lang="EN-US">8</span>月才可確定參賽隊伍及比賽場地,倉促的時間難免令本會、廣大球迷、傳媒以及一眾持分者感到無奈。我認為這亦反映出本地聯賽的現況
<span lang="EN-US">–</span>仍然不成熟。我聽到你</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">們的疑問「鳳凰計劃不是應可解決所有問題嗎?」。<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">就讓我們客觀地分析,鳳凰計劃針對職業足球提議出多個事項包括成立超級聯賽、實施球會牌照制度等。而讓提議得以實行,額外的資金亦是必須的;不過,因為種種可理解的原因下,政府並沒有直接分配額外金錢予各球會。如是者,香港足球總會將資源用於管理職業足球的改變,而並非用於球會身上,促使香港超級聯賽得以成立。此外,我相信以下各個範疇亦得到正面改變:<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;">全新品牌及冠名贊助</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">球會牌照制度提供球會職業化的框架,亦改善我們於亞洲賽事中的排名</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">獎金顯著提升<span lang="EN-US">(4</span>倍<span lang="EN-US">)</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">為較小型的球會籌備資金</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">成立球員支援小組</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">監管比賽操縱問題,減少了賽事作假的可能性</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "新細明體","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">政府增加了對區隊的資金援助<span lang="EN-US"> (3</span>倍<span lang="EN-US">)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">以上的事項帶來不少好處,亦帶領著我們向正確方向前進。例如,我們於亞洲足協的排名有所提升,令我們得到亞冠盃的入場券。但我亦清楚明白為何有人會覺得這些轉變只是虛有其表,抑或者某些球會會認為足總並沒有提供足夠支援,尤其財政方面。事實上,足總善用可用的資源,包括每年花費港幣<span lang="EN-US">500</span>萬來營運港超聯,而基本上所有花費亦從球會角度出發。足總亦管理所有比賽日的運作</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">、提供球證、市場推廣(</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">港幣<span lang="EN-US">100</span>萬以上)</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">、安排及管理直播事宜及商討場地之運用等等。<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">你或會質疑足總是否真的應該這樣的支援球會,但我認為短期來說,這樣做是正確的。一個完善的專業足球聯賽對本地足球成功與否非常關鍵。它既可以鼓勵年青一代參與足球,亦給予球員一條成為香港代表隊之路,而擁有一支有實力的代表隊當然非常重要。<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">我個人較希望聯賽可以由一家獨立機構營運<span lang="EN-US"> (</span>如其他國家一樣<span lang="EN-US">)</span>,而這正正是</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">鳳凰計劃內的提議之一。兩年前,我們曾嘗試成立一個由眾球會所組成的工作小組,以管理架構</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">、資源及時間表等,但因球會的冷淡導致結果令人失望。因此,我們仍與成立</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">獨立機構營運聯賽的模式有一段距離,在這段期間,聯賽仍會由足總營運。這是一個挑戰,其中包括以下原因:<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">球會之延續性:</span></b><span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">多支本地球會的營運方式不穩定,並完全依賴於</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">「老闆」及贊助商。很多人知道港超聯的目標是擁有<span lang="EN-US">12</span>支參賽球隊,但於今個夏天曾出現由原本的<span lang="EN-US">9</span>隊減少至<span lang="EN-US">8</span>隊的可能性。如真是這樣的話,我們無疑會被批評,因此我們想盡辦法去增加參賽隊伍。<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">其中包括我們對於廣州富力要求於港超聯作賽的方案表示正面;我們鼓勵香港足球會考慮升班;亦研究重組前球隊「港菁」的可行性。結果,這<span lang="EN-US">3</span>個方案均得以實行,亦令港超聯最後有<span lang="EN-US">11</span>支參賽隊伍。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">這結果受到不少批評,以廣州富力的情況為例,表面上與威爾斯球隊史雲斯於英超作賽或紐西蘭球隊威靈頓鳳凰於澳職作賽一樣,但這裡的政治環境截然不同,導致得到不少負面聲音。我們要求廣州富力必須簽入多位本地球員以及繳付一筆參賽費用<span lang="EN-US"> (</span>可讓其他球會受惠<span lang="EN-US">)</span>以令聯賽的競爭性及可觀性不受影響。我亦相信他們會有一定競爭力。凡事均有兩面,我認為事情往往會有優點及缺點,時間會證明這決定正確與否。<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">香港足球會的情況相似,不少人批評我們批准「業餘」球隊參賽。首先,他們去季於甲組足球聯賽以第<span lang="EN-US">2</span>名完成球季,而他們亦為所有球員提供「專業」球員合約,雖然酬勞不多,但球會牌照或聯賽規則並沒有針對「最低工資」之限制。再者,香港足球會仍需要附合球會牌照之要求及規定。他們之競爭力仍有待見證,但我觀看了兩場季前友誼賽,認為他們表演不俗。<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: , serif; font-size: 11pt;">6</span><span style="font-family: , serif; font-size: 11pt;">至<span lang="EN-US">7</span>月期間,本地部分球會包括上屆冠軍東方的財政問題令我們難以確定<span lang="EN-US">2016</span>至<span lang="EN-US">17</span>年度港超聯的參賽隊伍。面對如此不穩定因素,我們必須作出艱難的決定。未必所有人會認同,但我們相信這些決定全都是為本地足球出發。當然,如果於球季結束時可明確知道下一季的參賽隊伍會是最理想的情況,最關鍵的就是球會的可持續性。<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">這亦引申至下一問題。<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">場地:</span></b><span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">場地供應、質素及選擇是另一個常在問題。除了香港大球場及旺角大球場外,其他所有場地均需要作為球隊主場的同時,滿足社區的用途需求,這無可避免地令球場不時需要閉門維修保養。更甚的是,今季多個場地需要延長關閉期,令我們不可能正常計劃賽程。香港大球場由<span lang="EN-US">12</span>月起關閉至<span lang="EN-US">3</span>月中,亦令於旺角大球場上作賽之需求增加。另外,多個球場缺乏泛光燈,以致不可能安排週中賽事;而仍有一些球場限制打氣活動包括打鼓等。除非有措施解決以上不足,否則問題仍然會存在。欣賞足球賽事是一種習慣,球迷絕不會希望他們支持的球隊不斷轉換主場作賽場地。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">球會牌照:</span></b><span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">港超聯球會牌照是參照亞冠的球會牌照之準則,並跟據本地部份球會仍處於較起步的情況下放寬部分事項。我認為現時港超聯球會牌照的所有事項是基於常識的原則下設立,亦是現今專業球會所依從的。本地部分球會認真看待牌照制度(尤其是參與亞洲賽事的),但部分卻相反,不認為牌照制度可視作逐步改善球會的工具。這情況令人感到失望。<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">這個夏天對於本地足球要維持競爭力</span><span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">、可持續性及吸引力均有很大衝擊及挑戰。香港足球總會已盡一切努力計劃及籌備<span lang="EN-US">2016</span>至<span lang="EN-US">17</span>球季。最後有<span lang="EN-US">11</span>支參賽隊伍,每支球隊需要進行<span lang="EN-US">20</span>場聯賽以及於<span lang="EN-US">3</span>個盃賽中比拼。我熱切希望所有球隊均充滿競爭性,為大家帶來緊急刺激的賽事。開季在即,我冀望所有人可將焦點放在球場上,廣大球迷一同支持球隊及整個聯賽。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">與此同時,我亦正針對本港未來的球季,努力地草擬一份更有野心及「革命性」計劃。我已有不少想法,但仍需要將它們整合成互相協調及一致的計劃書,希望可於今年聖誕節前跟大家分享。<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">香港足球總會行政總裁薛基輔<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "新細明體" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">二<span lang="EN-US">○</span>一六年八月<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12311816601866550472noreply@blogger.com7