The rest of Hong Kong sport would be justified in calling them the 'Chosen Few' - the 12 specially selected sports which have been earmarked for most favourable treatment by the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and the Sports Development Board (SDB).
The territory's two powerful sporting organisations - having done their own thing in the past - have this month come together to form a united front: and have come up with the Focus Sports concept.
After much deliberation they decided on 12 sports, which will be given extra support and cosseted for the next two years, after which the SDB and HKSI will review whether the right choices were made.
So until April 1999, badminton, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, rowing, squash, swimming, table tennis, track and field, triathlon, windsurfing and wushu will be pampered by the SDB and HKSI, who will give them everything from more money to technical support to boost their athletes' pursuit of excellence.
The rest of the 38 sporting associations in Hong Kong will, in the meantime, feel as if they are living off the crumbs left over after the board and institute have sliced off a big piece of the money pie for the 'Chosen Few'.
During the current financial year, the 12 Focus Sports will be given $79.53 million, while the other 38 'development' sports will receive $33.92 million.
