South China's Kwok Kin-pong determined to give outgoing convenor Lo victorious send-off in play-off final
Caroliners can seal place in AFC Cup tonight
Hong Kong international Kwok Kin-pong paid tribute to outgoing convenor Steven Lo Kit-sing as South China seek to seal a place in next season's AFC Cup on Friday.
They face Eastern Salon in the play-off final at Hong Kong Stadium, bringing the curtain down on the season and Lo's eight years in charge of the club.
Lo, who is leaving after being found guilty of corruption and money laundering by a Macau court in March, will rush back from a business trip in Europe just hours before the game.
He has provided me with many opportunities over these years, helping me improve from a youth team player to representing Hong Kong on the international stage
Kwok, the only player who has been at the club throughout Lo's eight-year era, said the latter had made a big contribution.
"He has injected a lot of resources and helped raise the profile of soccer. A lot of positive things were done through him," said the left-back. "He has provided me with many opportunities over these years, helping me improve from a youth team player to representing Hong Kong on the international stage.
"I was also sent to a training camp in London in 2010 and the experience I gained with [Tottenham] has enriched my career. All of these could not have happened without him."
South China Athletic Association, parent body of the soccer team, will disclose the new convenor on Sunday. It is strongly tipped to be Citizen chairman Wallace Cheung Kwong-yung.