Hong Kong public wants to see government-backed esports development as researchers call for more funding

More than 70 per cent of respondents support esports development in Hong Kong with sport to debut in 2022 Asian Games

‘The government should seize the opportunity to formulate policy,’ said Baptist University professor Chung

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Local esports teams Hong Kong Attitude and Kowloon Esports Team compete in an exhibition game at the Cyberport Arena after its opening in 2019. Photo: Handout

Published: 5:08pm, 27 May 2021Updated: 5:08pm, 27 May 2021

There is overwhelming support for the development of Hong Kong’s esports scene but more must be done for the sport’s exposure, resources and career prospects, according to a Baptist University survey published on Thursday.

Researchers found 72 per cent of respondents – from telephone surveys conducted on around 1,500 respondents aged 15 and over and questionnaire surveys on 2,100 of the city’s secondary and university students in 2020 – supported the development of esports in Hong Kong.

Some 69 per cent also said the government should subsidise such development, suggesting a need for more investment in infrastructure and resources of sport.

The publication also confirmed that 28 per cent of respondents did not know about esports’ debut appearance as a “demonstration sport” at the 2018 Asian Games (despite Hong Konger Lo Tsz-kin winning a gold medal), while 19 per cent had no knowledge that it would become an official one at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou next September.

Baptist University associate dean (development) of the Faculty of Social Sciences Chung Pak-kwong (front, centre) and research team members Dr Leung Ka-man (front, second right) and Claudia Wong Ming-yu (front, right) with chairman of the Asian Electronic Sports Federation Kenneth Fok Kai-kong (front, second left), and industry representatives Aaron Ho Ho-nam (front, left), Alex Tang (back, left), Syreni Shek Hoi-yee (back, second left), William Ching Ting-lam (back, second right) and Lam Wing (back, right) at the survey report press conference. Photo: Baptist University

“Esports is a major global development trend in electronic technology, sports and entertainment industries, and the public in general holds a positive attitude towards its development,” said Professor Chung Pak-kwong, HKBU associate dean (development) of the Faculty of Social Sciences who led the research.