THE Hong Kong Sports Development Board will not fund judo official Mak Yiu-cheung's trip to the World Championships in Hamilton, Canada. Mak, who leaves for Canada today, two days before the eight-strong Hong Kong contingent, was appointed team manager by the Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee. However, because the appointment was not accepted by a rebel group within the Hong Kong Judo Association, he is not eligible for SDB funding. The SDB issued a statement yesterday saying they have agreed to fund 70 per cent of the costs for seven athletes and coach David Starbrook, but additional funding for an extra official would only be forthcoming with the approval of both judo groups. Mak's appointment was not approved by the rebels, according to their vice-president David Yu Wing-chung, who also accused the ASF&OC of interfering in their dispute with the association. Mak said the association will pay for his trip. ''Where the money is coming from has nothing to do with me. The association is paying for me and it is not for me to ask where the money is coming from.'' Mak is leaving early to attend an International Judo Federation meeting. The rebels are involved in legal proceedings in their bid to gain control of the association. The SDB statement added: ''The SDB is aware of a legal dispute between the two groups in the HKJA and wish to make it clear that the funds to be granted to the association are made available solely in the interest of the promotion of the sport of judo. ''This course of action is consistent with that goal and at the same time should not be seen as in any way supporting any one faction or group in the association engaged in the present legal dispute.''
