Hong Kong Sixes funding request rejected for second time
Viability of popular tournament at risk, with Singapore likely to step up instead
The Mega Events Fund was yesterday accused of "losing the plot" after the government agency tasked with promoting major sporting events turned down a second application from the Hong Kong Sixes.
"I really fear this committee has lost the plot. In fact, they never had the plot," said Hong Kong Cricket Association chairman Mike Walsh, after the MEF knocked back a request for HK$5 million from the governing body to stage the tournament at the end of October at Kowloon Cricket Club.
I really fear this committee has lost the plot. In fact, they never had the plot
The rejection has put the tournament under severe pressure as it is also without a title sponsor. "Our deadline for a decision is mid-August and without the MEF support it is very likely this event cannot go ahead," said HKCA president Rodney Miles.
The government's MEF, which is run by the Tourism Commission, has nearly HK$200 million in its kitty after the scheme was extended for a further five years last year. Since then only one sports event, the Dragon Boat Festival, has received support.
The HKCA had initially asked for HK$10 million but that was rejected last month. It went back with a fresh application after meeting with MEF chairman Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, who had apparently indicated a lower amount might be considered.
"It looks like they have not even reconsidered at all, but just regurgitated the initial reasons given," said Walsh.
The MEF has refused to comment on individual applications but an email from Emily Lo, secretary of the Hong Kong Tourism Commission's MEF assessment committee, to Miles on Monday stated that the Hong Kong Sixes application had failed to meet three of the five criteria required for financial support to be forthcoming.