Things only get better in university football.
The 2003 Philips Hong Kong Universities Football League, the exclusive tertiary-level competition, is offering the champions big prizes and a place in the annual International Soccer Sevens at Happy Valley.
Last year the inaugural Philips league was a mere sideshow to the Hong Kong Post Secondary Colleges Athletic Association's (HKPSCAA) traditional competition. But now that Philips has officially become the title sponsor of the HKPSCAA competition, there can be no question that the Philips-sponsored league is the number-one event at tertiary level.
The tournament, which features all 11 institutions in the SAR, began in mid-November and reaches the semi-final stage this weekend.
Last year's HKPSCAA champions City University (CityU) clash with Chu Hai College, and Philips league title-holders Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) play Chinese University for a place in the final on March 1.
The champions will win a DVD player and television, with each team member getting a Philips 'Ear Gear' MP3 player.
In last year's Philips final, HKIEd held CityU to a 0-0 draw and then beat them 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out.