Jockey Club supports Volleyball Nations League Hong Kong to promote sports for all and social cohesion

13/06/2023 20:45

Organised by the Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China, the FIVB Volleyball Nations League returns to Hong Kong after a four-year hiatus, with eight world-class teams converging on the city to compete for final-round qualification. To celebrate the return of this international sporting event, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, as the Official Community Partner of the competition, is supporting the Jockey Club Community Volleyball Programmes, which are providing opportunities for the community to enjoy the excitement of world-class volleyball.

The opening ceremony was held today (13 June) at the Hong Kong Coliseum and attended by HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Zheng Yanxiong, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR Liu Guangyuan, HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Steward Dr Silas Yang, President of Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China Timothy Fok, President of Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China Wilfred Ng and other guests.

Club Steward Dr Silas Yang was presented with a volleyball signed by the China women’s national team players by President of Volleyball Association of Hong Kong, China Wilfred Ng to thank the Club for its support for the Jockey Club Volleyball Community Programmes. The Club believes that sports are important not only for health but also for fostering positive attitudes and building social cohesion. Over the years, the Club has been a staunch supporter of different sporting events to promote a healthy lifestyle, which aligns with its purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of our society.

The Jockey Club Volleyball Community Programmes aim to promote volleyball through providing opportunities for the public to enjoy a world-class volleyball event. The programmes comprise:

·         Opportunities to assist with the competition, including receiving participating national teams and venue set-up and promotion activities. More than 200 volunteers were recruited and trained in May.

·         The In Touch with the China Volleyball National Team event held on 10 June. More than 3,000 citizens, students and visually impaired people experience the China volleyball national team practice session. Some of the students also joined master classes, where they were coached by China team players.

·         During the six-day competition from 13 to 18 June, over 5,000 underprivileged residents, students and people with disabilities, including the visually impaired assisted by an audio-description service, will enjoy all the action through the “Watch and Listen” Volleyball Game programme, which is providing complimentary tickets.  

·         Also during the competition, Eight International Sports Booths, operated by students, with the theme of sports and the eight participating countries and located in the piazza of the Hong Kong Coliseum, will promote cultural diversity and enhance students’ understanding of the sports industry.

·         To maintain enthusiasm for volleyball and to promote social equity, Enjoy Sitting Volleyball “As One”, a series of sitting volleyball experiences, will be held in August in cooperation with local schools and the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled.

The Club is a long-standing supporter of sports development in Hong Kong. Over the years, the Club has promoted sports at both the community and elite levels through numerous initiatives, enabling people of all ages and abilities to enjoy sports. The Club’s support for the Jockey Club Volleyball Community Programmes, like all of its charity donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate tax and charity support for the community.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2021/22, the Club returned a total of HK$33.6 billion to the community. This included HK$27.0 billion to the Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$6.6 billion in approved charity donations.  The Club is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the city's major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong.