RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
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David Trench Fund for Recreation disburses grants for the provision and improve- ment of recreational and sporting facilities and associated equipment.
Hong Kong Sports Development Board
The Hong Kong Sports Development Board is a statutory body responsible for promoting and developing sports and physical recreation in Hong Kong. In 1994-95, it was allocated $73.3 million. Of this, more than $43.5 million was used for sports development which included funding support for the Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong and the national sports associations for their staff salaries, office expenses and sports development programmes. The allocation was also used for special projects undertaken by the board, including international exchange programmes and community sports activities.
The concept of identifying target sports/focus team sports and providing them with additional resources for development is one of the fundamentals of Hong Kong's sports policy. Eight target sports and three focus team sports have been identified: badminton, rowing, squash, swimming, table tennis, tennis, wushu, windsurfing, basketball, football and rugby. Others will be added on a performance-related basis. Progress has been made in the coach education field since the inception of the Hong Kong Coaching Committee in 1991. It was jointly formed by the Hong Kong Sports Development Board, the Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Sports Institute. Two major components of its work are the Hong Kong Coach Education Programme and the Hong Kong Coach Accreditation Programme. The support given to this initiative by national sports associations bodes well for future development. In 1994-95, about $4 million was allocated to these coaching programmes.
The Sports Aid Foundation Fund and the Sports Aid for the Disabled Fund, administered by the board, increased support to leading athletes. A total of 84 athletes who satisfied the criteria were grant-aided in 1994–95. The total allocation exceeded $3.7 million. A further $560,000 from the Fund was allocated to 21 Hong Kong athletes who won medals in the 12th Asian Games as a special incentive award.
The board has secured additional funds from the commercial sector in support of development programmes organised by the national sports associations. The Sports Sponsorship Advisory Service, officially launched in June 1992, generated $9.097 million in sponsorship funding in 1994–95, with some agreements running for several years.
The Hong Kong Sports Institute was amalgamated with the Hong Kong Sports Development Board on April 1, 1994. Within broad parameters set by the Hong Kong Sports Development Board and in accordance with its mandate, the institute continues its role as the technical arm of sports in Hong Kong in athlete development; sports education and development; sports science, sports medicine and research; resource information; international exchanges; and co-operation with other sporting bodies. The main aim is to provide an environment in which athletic talent can be identified, nurtured and developed.
In 1994-95, the Hong Kong Sports Institute offered a sports scholarship scheme in 20 sports for more than 250 elite local athletes. Scholarship-holders received different levels of support services in coaching, facilities, accommodation, dietary advice, sports science, sports medicine, fitness training, overseas training and support for
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