The Hong Kong racing industry was given a huge compliment through yesterday's appointment of Jockey Club chief executive Lawrence Wong as chairman of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF). Wong's appointment was announced at the opening of the 29th Asian Racing Conference in Auckland.
While Wong's new position makes him the number one administrator of all racing countries on the Asia-Pacific rim as well as the Middle East and South Africa, it has added significance because the ARF has three seats on the Executive Council of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.
The power of the ARF was further underlined yesterday with the appointment of another far-sighted administrator, Bob Charley - chairman of the Australian Racing Board and a past chairman of the Australian Jockey Club - as Wong's deputy.
This is the most prominent position Hong Kong has ever held in international racing, and one which it has been actively pursuing behind the scenes over the past 12 months. 'I am very honoured to take on a role of great importance to our Federation,' Wong said during his acceptance speech. He also acknowledged the work of his ARF predecessor Murray Acklin.
Wong made an immediate impact by setting a clear agenda against what he referred to as 'unlimited, unregulated and uncontrolled betting companies'.
'These 'companies' contribute nothing to our sport and nothing to society,' Wong said. 'Together, racing's governing bodies must take immediate and firm action against these offshore operators. I urge ARF members not just to take a united front against these parasitic and illegal pirates that threaten racing's integrity, but also to lobby their respective governments to help arrest this problem.'