Premier League champions to get 50 per cent more prize money as Hong Kong’s clubs mobilise
- Two clubs contribute HK$3 million in seed money as teams form group to attract more sponsors and fans during three-year trial
- ‘It has been under discussion for a long period of time that the Premier League clubs should run their own competition,’ Kwoon Chung Southern chairman says
The clubs in the Hong Kong Premier League are to set up their own committee to boost prize money and manage costs – and they could eventually seek a greater say in running the competition.
A working group has been established to form the “Hong Kong Premier League Committee”, including seven out of the top division’s eight current clubs, with only HK U23 not part of it.
And the clubs announced initial extra funding that will hand next season’s league champions a 50 per cent rise in prize money.
“We have formed a working group and the immediate task is to find ways to lower the clubs’ expenses and, at the same time, increase our income,” said Chan Man-chun, chairman of Kwoon Chung Southern.
“It has been under discussion for a long period of time that the Premier League clubs should run their own competition, and we are happy to have taken the initial step and start a trial for the next three seasons. We’ll see how it works out and decide the next step.”
With the support of HK$3 million in seed money contributed by two clubs, believed to be Kitchee and Lee Man, they plan to increase prize money for the league and the FA Cup.