Hong Kong FA chief Eric Fok refuses to commit to league overhaul, rejects clubs’ criticism over poor promotion of sport
- Fok says the media can help Hong Kong football by providing more positive coverage of the domestic game
- Chairman fudges when asked if clubs should assume control of local league, while CEO refuses to answer any questions
Hong Kong football chief Eric Fok Kai-shan believes the city’s poor domestic competitions can be improved, but has not said how the standard could be raised and instead challenged the media to cover the game more positively.
His comments at the Hong Kong Football Association’s annual general meeting followed a withering attack on the state of the game locally from head coach Jorn Andersen.
The Norwegian, who guided the city’s team to the Asian Cup finals for the first time since 1968, has repeatedly said the standard is too far below that required in international football. He added that he constantly asked himself while attending Premier League or cup matches: “Why have I come today?”
There have also been moves made by top-flight clubs to push the FA to share control of the domestic game, with Lee Man president Norman Lee Man-yen and Eastern vice-chairman Frankie Yau both telling the Post the FA did not have the knowledge or ability to promote local football.
Elected unopposed as association chairman last June, Fok is the third generation of his family to hold an influential FA position over 54 consecutive years, following late grandfather Henry, and father Timothy.
It was not possible to get the thoughts of Joaquin Tam Chau-long, the FA CEO, on anything discussed at Thursday’s meeting. Tam avoided media when it came time to answer questions, but returned to eat dinner with colleagues.