Those turned down for subsidies will have to tighten their belts and work doubly hard to achieve results, while even those awarded the $25,000 allowance find it offers little security.

''It's not enough,'' said rower Chung Chi-lok. one of the ''lucky'' athletes to receive a grant. ''But rowing is my interest and I want to do it when I am young. You can't expect to be heavily subsidised in Hong Kong.'' He was disappointed with the size of his grant. Having finished in sixth place in one of the canoeing events at the last Asian Games, he had applied as an elite athlete.

''I don't understand why I was given so little,'' the 22-year-old said. ''I was hoping to get $40,000.'' Chung's daily rowing practice starts at 6.00 am, followed by weightlifting and other physical exercises. For the past year, his life has centred around the institute: ''I seldom go out. I go home every two weeks. My life is quite monotonous, but it's worth it. I want to see results from it.'' Athletes recommended by their sports associations are entitled to receive full-scale training at the institute, including free residence and meals but even so they have little spending money unless awarded a grant.

''I have little money to spend,'' said 19-year-old Shum Man-kong, who moved into the institute in January for full-time training. ''But that doesn't matter to me. It will be a pity if I stop playing badminton while I'm young.'' Known as Jubilee Sports Centre before 1991, the institute also provides a monthly allowance. Shum also earns extra money fixing badminton racquets for a sports equipment agent. In total he receives about $1,000 a month.

What really upsets him is that he can't afford to buy gifts for his family in Ma On Shan, but because his family doesn't require any financial help from him he is able to continue at his sport.

''I'll stay here even if I am not selected for the Asian Games in October,'' he said. ''I am prepared to spend at least two more years on the sport. My prime goal is to be able to compete in the Olympics.'' Shum injured his right shoulder in a traffic accident last year, but this only increased his determination to succeed.

''The accident caused me to think that I should develop my badminton skills while I can,'' he said.

The desire to win in international competitions gives judo player Chan Mei-ling her incentive.

Her dream of competing in the 1992 Olympics was dashed when she was dropped from the judo team representing Hong Kong after National Olympic Committee President A. de O. Sales wanted the number of players reduced.

Mr Sales had expected a veteran male player to be dropped, but the politically-charged Hong Kong Judo Association decided to leave Chan out.

Having won recent selection trials, Chan, 22, is slated to represent Hong Kong at this year's Asian Games.

''It won't matter even if I am not chosen,'' she said. ''I thought that I could take part in the Olympics and did not in the end.'' Chan is so confident of going that she quit her accounting job last month to concentrate on a training programme devised by her coach Lee Chung-tai.

Chan, who has no financial obligation to her family, would have to pay a lot less for her training had she been selected among the 80 beneficiaries of the Sports Aid Foundation Fund, managed by the Sports Development Board. Unfortunately she was one of the unsuccessful candidates.

''I have applied for sports aid almost every year, but I have never received any,'' Chan said.

To further her bid for success at the Asian Games, Chan will attend summer judo classes at a university in Chiba, Japan, but this is only because her coach has agreed to subsidise part of her month-long training course.

''It will cost more than $10,000,'' she said. ''I'll have to use some of my savings. All I want is a medal. Winning one gives me something to look back on when I get old.'' But not everyone thinks the athletes have it tough: badminton coach Diana Lo, thinks the talented young players are subsidised enough.

''Athletes don't have to spend much,'' she said. ''They don't have much time for entertainment. They may lose the will to do well if they receive too much assistance.'' In general, the treatment of athletes is improving, according to rowing coach Chris Perry. His wife Ho Kim-fai, a lightweight sculler, was the territory's only gold medal winner in last May's East Asian Games in Shanghai. But the $85,000 she received from the Sports Aid Foundation only recouped part of the losses she incurred as a result of full-time training.

''She still loses money,'' Mr Perry said. ''The amount of the grant is not as high as we would like to see.

''But the level of support has improved at least compared to seven years ago when I first came, when there was no support of any kind.'' This year, for the first time, the Sports Development Board, the Government's sports funding arm, has introduced an Athletes' Incentives Scheme under which medal winners at the Asian Games will receive cash awards. Each gold medal-winner would be rewarded with $150,000 in an individual sports or $200,000 for a team sport.

But for those still climbing up the athletic ladder, cash support may still be hard to come by.

''The Sports Aid Foundation board has recognised the need to do more for aspiring athletes,'' said executive director Howard Wells. ''But I have to say this year we've been totally constrained on the basis of funds available.

''What we've got now is many more aspiring athletes that are generally competitive and looking for support.'' In the past three years the capital base of the foundation has doubled thanks to hefty donations from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club. The fund now stands at $40 million, not far offnext year's target of $65 million. The interest generated from the capital in the fund is used to finance the grants awarded to athletes.

Mr Wells is positive about Hong Kong's sports development and says the board has done a good job in looking after athletes' welfare, including educational support and career placement.

He believes last month's merger of the Hong Kong Sports Institute and the Sports Development Board will enhance efforts to improve athletes' welfare, hopefully attracting more long-term corporate sponsorships and consequently, more subsidies for national sports associations.

''The problem we still have is that many sports have got a small membership base and therefore don't generate much income,'' he said.

Take tenpin bowling. Top player Che Kuk-hung, has to personally finance her trips to regional competitions. She does not expect that to change in the near future and even though her husband could support her, she doesn't want that. ''I support full-time training, but I won't give up my job,'' she said. ''I have already sacrificed a lot for the sport.'' In Hong Kong it pays to be an athlete with stamina.

The Sports Aid Foundation board has recognised the need to do more for aspiring athletes. But I have to say this year we've been totally constrained on the basis of funds available