Hong Kong women's number one Lynn Zhang Ling has called for a flexible approach so that tennis can immediately join the Sports Institute's elite ranks, rather than having to wait until 2015 when the next selection cycle kicks in.
Zhang, who spearheaded the sport's comeback into the institute when she and Katherine Ip Cheng won the requisite points at the Asian Championships, said it was a shame the sport would have to wait for the next four-year cycle for new sports bidding to begin to win millions of dollars in government funding.
"Waiting is not good, especially for athletes because our time is very important for us," Zhang said.
"I hope and wish by any way that we can get back into the Sports Institute sooner. I am not sure if it is possible, but I wish that this can happen."
The Sports Institute will depend on the Sports Commission to decide on the re-entry of tennis. It is a long and complicated process, which will only begin at the end of 2014. Tennis has been out of the institute since 2008.
"Luckily I am one of the tennis players currently in the elite system, and I have been receiving some support for the last couple of years. But I would like to see all of my peers also be a part of the elite so that we can share the programme," said Zhang, 24, who is funded under the individual athletes scheme.