Asian Games 2023: can Hong Kong deliver medals? That is HK$1 million question as city reveals cash bonus for gold
- Cyclist Sarah Lee, gymnast Shek Wai-hung and squash siblings Annie and Leo Au among past Games champions missing from Hong Kong’s biggest ever squad of 681
- But chef de mission Kenneth Fok says the athletes can enjoy ‘something like home ground advantage’ in mainland Chinese city of Hangzhou
Hong Kong’s athletes have been handed a HK$1 million incentive to strike gold at the Asian Games – and the delegation leader backed them to maximise “home advantage” despite the absence of several big names from the last edition.
The financial bonuses on offer at September’s multisport event in the mainland Chinese city of Hangzhou, announced at Hong Kong’s flag presentation ceremony on Tuesday, were up 25 per cent on those last time around in Jakarta five years ago.
And the 681-strong squad’s chef de mission Kenneth Fok Kai-kong insisted he was optimistic about the Games, even if rivalling the 2018 medal haul may be a tall order when some who contributed to it have retired or opted against competing this year.
“We know some Jakarta gold medallists will not be in Hangzhou, but are still confident of some good results,” Fok said at the ceremony at Kowloon Park Sports Centre.
“Firstly, we are sending our largest ever squad to Hangzhou, so that means a better chance for more medals. Secondly, Hong Kong athletes can enjoy something like home ground advantage in Hangzhou – remember, we did a very good job at the 2010 Games in Guangzhou.
“Thirdly, Hong Kong athletes are doing well recently on international stages like Asian championships and world championships. It gives us more hope in Hangzhou.”
Besides making individual event winners feel like a million dollars, the bonus pot provided by Hong Kong Jockey Club – up a quarter on Henderson Land’s fund five years ago – will award HK$500,000 to silver medallists and HK$250,000 for bronze.
Teams winning medals, be they doubles pairs or a 22-member football squad, will get double those amounts, shared between them.
Star swimmer Siobhan Haughey, who on Wednesday has a chance to reach the podium at the World Aquatics Championships, will be a strong HK$1 million prospect in Hangzhou, having picked up double silver at the Tokyo Olympics since the last Asian Games.
So will Grace Lau Mo-sheung, who last week won her first gold medal at the Asian Karate Championships.
However, the squad formally announced by the local Olympic committee on Tuesday was also notable for those no longer in contention.
Track cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze, who won two golds in 2018, has recently retired. Sibling squash players Annie Au Wing-chi and Leo Au Chun-ming, both winners in Jakarta, had already done so.
Shek Wai-hung, the two-time defending champion in the men’s vault, will compete in the World Gymnastics Championships instead of the Asian Games, which clash.
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That golden quartet provided more than half of the eight golds won in Jakarta along with 18 silvers and 20 bronzes.
Fok said the absence of illustrious names could allow the next generation to take a step forward.
“The Asian Games can provide a good platform for our up-and-coming athletes so that they can be nurtured,” he said. “Remember [fencer] Cheung Ka-long, who lost in the early rounds of the Rio Olympics but, after gaining the experience, became a gold medal winner in Tokyo. Athletes need the exposure.”
Hong Kong Cycling Association chairman Leung Hung-tak backed the likes of 22-year-old Ceci Lee Sze-wing to fill the void left by namesake Sarah.
“The younger Lee is also proven at international level,” Leung said. “She may cause some surprises in Hangzhou.”
