Mega event fund's failure to support Hong Kong shows it needs reform
I felt exasperation when I read that the Hong Kong Cricket Association's application to the Mega Events Fund (MEF) for HK$5 million (following an earlier unsuccessful request for HK$10 million), to hold the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, had been rejected.
I can quite understand the frustration expressed by the president and the chairman of the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA).
I, and many people I know, simply cannot understand the actions, or rather lack of action, of the people who are supposed to be administering the MEF.
From all reports, despite having about HK$200 million at its disposal to fund and promote important sporting and other events in and for the good of Hong Kong, it has since last year seen fit to support just the one event - the Dragon Boat Festival.
This would clearly indicate that this government-backed scheme to support events in Hong Kong (which is admirable in its intention) is being hindered by bureaucracy.
The present administrators of the MEF are doing a total disservice to the city by failing to take advantage of opportunities to support deserving events such as the Hong Kong Sixes.
