Kitchee's long-term vision of developing quality footballers took a giant step forward yesterday with the establishment of Hong Kong's first training facility dedicated mainly to youth.
Located in Shek Mun in Sha Tin district, the venue is expected to be completed in 18 months following a donation of HK$44 million from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
'Ever since we set up FCB Escola [now called Kitchee Escola] four years ago, we have been dreaming of a facility like this,' said Ken Ng Kin, president of Kitchee. 'We have been in discussions with relevant government departments over the use of land over the past two years and now, with the financial support from the Jockey Club, we can put our ambitious plan into action.'
The Kitchee Escola programme provides training to boys aged from six to 12 under the guidance of two ex-Barcelona technical directors of youth development.
The new facility, on 15,000 square metres of land, will have a five-year lease, but Ng sees no reason why they can't keep the venue - which will be named the Jockey Club Kitchee Centre - beyond that period.
'That area is designated for recreational use, but at the moment the government has no plan to develop it,' he said. 'If we can run a good training centre and help the development of young players in Hong Kong, I don't think the government will take back the land after five years.'