No medal pressure for SAR athletes: Law
The minister for sport Rosanna Law said she will not set a public medal target for the Hong Kong, China delegation for next week's Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, stressing that athletes already carry enough pressure. In an exclusive interview, Law told RTHK she deliberately avoids discussing medal predictions ahead of any major competition, preferring to let athletes concentrate on their…
Rosanna Law, the Hong Kong's Minister for Sport, has announced the Hong Kong delegation will not face pressure to secure medals during the upcoming Asian Games. During an interview with RTHK, Law emphasized that athletes are already under sufficient stress and prefer to focus on their performance rather than medal predictions. She stated that athletes should give their best effort and strive to surpass their usual standards without compromising their goals.
Law highlighted the SAR spirit present in the Hong Kong team and expressed her anticipation for their achievements. To support the athletes, the government has increased its financial commitment for the Asian Games, providing full funding for the 580-strong delegation, as opposed to the previous 90 percent coverage of travel and participation costs.
Law explained that this funding boost would provide athletes with additional opportunities to improve their skills through international competition, ultimately elevating the resources available to them. The Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism cited several successful performances by SAR athletes in recent competitions, including a silver medal in men’s foil fencing at the World Championships, a win and a runner-up finish in men’s badminton singles at the China Masters, and a gold medal in men’s rugby sevens at the Asian Rugby Sevens in Suzhou.
She expressed confidence in the athletes' ability to carry a sense of self-belief into the Asian Games. Regarding team sports, Law indicated that a comprehensive review of support measures for these areas will be conducted early next year, after the Games. The review will consider various factors, such as development pathways, medical and sports science support, facility allocation, and coaching quality.
Law mentioned the handball team's remarkable performance in the National Games as an example of how amateur teams can deliver exceptional results without winning medals. Currently, eight team sports receive government funding, and Law assured that authorities would assess the potential inclusion of more teams and the expansion of existing resources to broaden support.
On the future of tennis and snooker, both currently classified as Tier A sports, Law assured that the government would maintain flexibility in its backing, contingent upon continued results and progress in junior development.
Written by urgent.news from RTHK English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- No medal pressure for SAR athletes: Law news.rthk.hk
