The Hong Kong Jockey Club today (20 Aug) announced that it will extend its sponsorship of local equestrian sports for another 3½ years, with a total funding amounting to more than HK$ 70 million. The aim is to build on the outstanding and historic achievements of the city’s equestrian riders in recent years. With annual funding of HK$20 million to HK$24 million, new sponsorship elements and professional equestrian expertise can be introduced to the city to enhance the standards of the Hong Kong equestrian teams and the sport itself.
Club Deputy Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip, who is also President of the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation (HKEF), believes the renewal of sponsorship will make collaboration between the Club and the Federation even closer. “We are all very excited about this new sponsorship, and believe that the added elements will help take Hong Kong to a new competitive standard in the equestrian arena. I know that our sponsored riders share these goals and are greatly looking forward to developing their skills under top-class professional guidance.” Dr Ip said.
The new sponsorship, which runs from July 2013 to December 2016, enables the Hong Kong Jockey Club Equestrian Team to be extended from four riders to five. Joining the team is Raena Leung, who has achieved the “Certificate of Capability” for next year’s World Equestrian Games. The existing team of Patrick Lam, Samantha Lam, Kenneth Cheng and Jacqueline Lai have been re-selected.
Besides covering the regular expenses for each rider's training and competitions, funding will provide for a new performance award. The Club’s Executive Director of Racing William A Nader explained, “The sponsorship will be offering the riders performance incentives for good results in major events like the 2013 National Games, 2014 Asian Games and 2016 Olympics.” Mr Nader adds that the equestrian sponsorship is one of the Club’s contributions in local sports, “We have been putting increased focus in recent years on supporting sports development in Hong Kong and nurturing local talent, because we believe that sport is a great way of connecting people and promoting a healthy lifestyle.”
The extended sponsorship enables several new elements, including drawing professional equestrian expertise into Hong Kong. Lars Meyer zu Bexten, a member of the German national training team, has been appointed HKJC Equestrian Team Coach and Manager, a new position established to oversee the assessment, selection and management of the Club-sponsored senior riders. Funds have also been earmarked for HKEF to take on a qualified Sports Development Director to oversee the overall development of the city’s equestrian sports, both elite and young riders.
The Club will provide annual funding to lease horses for the HKJC Equestrian Team's use, to help them become more competitive in major events.
The HKJC Equestrian Sponsorship 2013-2016 is an extension of the previous one, which ended in June this year. Following the success of Hong Kong's staging of the equestrian events of the Beijing Olympics in 2008, the Club committed total funding of HK$50 million to establish and run a Club-sponsored Equestrian Team and Junior Equestrian Team. During the past four years, Club-sponsored riders have achieved considerable success, including a gold and two bronze medals at the 2009 National Games, a silver at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympics and a bronze at the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games. These outstanding results not only wrote new chapters in the city’s sports development, but also endorsed Club's vision in promoting equestrian sport.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world's leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.7 billion in 2012. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$16 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.
Appendix 1: Profile of the members of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Equestrian Team
Appendix 2: Profile the of the HKJC Equestrian Team Coach and Manager
Appendix 3: Fact sheet of the HKJC Equestrian Sponsorship 2013-2016
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Club Deputy Chairman and President of the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation Dr Simon S O Ip (4th left) joins the Club's Executive Director of Racing William A Nader (3rd left), and HKJC Equestrian Team members Patrick Lam (1st right), Samantha Lam (2nd right), Kenneth Cheng (1st left), Jacqueline Lai (3rd right) and Raena Leung (2nd left) for a photo after the ceremony.
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Dr Simon S O Ip says that renewal of the HKJC Equestrian Sponsorship demonstrates the close partnership between the Club and the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation.
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The Club's Executive Director of Racing William A Nader believes that the extended sponsorship will help to enhance the standard of local equestrian sports.
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Members of the HKJC Equestrian Team are ready for their next target a£á¡§ the National Games which held in early September at Liaoning.
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