A broader membership of the Hong Kong Football Association is the most important recommendation that will be put on the table for clubs' endorsement next week as a massive change to strengthen the governance of the local soccer governing body - a prerequisite for increased funding from the government - moves into high gear.
Under a proposal made by the 'change agent' appointed last November, the association's council, the highest power base of the organisation, will be expanded from 50 members at present to a maximum of 100.
'The exact number is yet to be decided, but the council will be expanded to between 80 and 100,' a source close to the change agent said.
The change agent, led by Mark Sutcliffe, a senior executive of the firm Scott Wilson, will present its proposals to the clubs next Thursday.
'The new members will not be limited to soccer clubs, but any organisation that shares our mission of developing the sport in Hong Kong with their expertise in specific areas like sports marketing, refereeing and even sports journalists,' the source said.
'We need contribution from different sectors to help the sport. But, of course, they will need to fulfil certain criteria and go through an application process to become members.