A support system to cater for the education and careers of elite athletes was acknowledged by the Hong Kong Sports Development Board (SDB) as two of the most vital ingredients needed to take local sport to the next level.
The SDB, which yesterday spelled out the role it played in Hong Kong's successful Asian Games campaign, stressed that more ground had to be covered if Hong Kong wanted to continue to stay abreast of the rest of Asia.
'We have identified four major areas that we need to focus on if we are to get better results at the next Asian Games. They are more funding from the Government, better technical support for the athletes, educational support to athletes and a career net for them,' said Andrew Ma, SDB chief executive.
In its move to ensure that Hong Kong's top athletes are able to devote more time to their various disciplines, the SDB will lobby the Government to set up a special school at secondary level for athletes.
'This will give them more flexibility,' said Ma.
As for careers, the SDB revealed that it was always speaking to corporate clients over hiring 'retired' athletes.