HONGKONG soccer chiefs are ready to set up a $750,000 prize fund in an effort to entice stay-away players back into the territory's World Cup squad.
Hongkong Football Association chairman Victor Hui Chun-fui has already promised $200,000 of his own money to start the ball rolling and other senior soccer officials are prepared to chip in large sums.
Hui said: ''The players need an incentive to do well because, after all, they are professionals.
''They need to look forward to something. By giving them cash bonuses, it shows that we care for them.
The dramatic move comes after the squad's five South China players all pulled out citing injuries, even though four of them were fit enough to play in Sunday's Viceroy Cup final.
In addition South China boss Steven Lo Kit-sing had said he was quitting as an assistant manager to the squad - although he was yesterday persuaded to remain - and national coach Wong Man-wai, the Caroliners' team manager, also said he would be resigningthis week.