THE Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) enters a new era when the 1995-96 season kicks off today with a new league format and a sponsorship package which should see the territory's most powerful association through the post '97 years.
The First Division takes on a J.League look with two stages of competition.
The first stage of the league should be completed by January and the second stage by June. The winners of each stage will meet in a Grand Final.
The HKFA are hoping the J.League's phenomenal success will rub off on the domestic scene where soccer is the most popular team sport in the territory.
Probably the best thing that could have happened to the HKFA is their association with ISL Asia Pacific, the marketing firm who will handle or be responsible for sponsoring all domestic competitions as well as the national squad.
On the field, triple defending league champions Eastern start their campaign with less ambitions after suffering a double blow in June with the withdrawal of their major sponsor and the resignation of team manager Peter Leung.