Instant sports
Author: Yuan Zhihao
2021-02-24 12:59
Last update date: 2021-02-24 12:59
The 2021-22 Budget was unveiled today (24th). The Financial Secretary, Chen Maobo, proposed to improve the recreational and sports facilities, including the addition or modification of standard five-a-side and eleven-a-side football fields.
Compared with last year's budget, the government has more space on sports this year, and specifically mentioned football.
Chen Maobo pointed out that football has been well received by the public and will set aside 318 million yuan for the implementation of the "Five-year Plan for Upgrading Football Stadium Facilities", which will significantly increase the five-a-side football stadiums that meet international standards and study the expansion of existing venues to standards. The eleven-a-side turf football field and the accelerated renewal of artificial turf involve more than 70 of the approximately 300 venues under the management of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
Former Hong Kong football team captain Chen Weihao criticized on the Internet that five-man hard-court football pitches were substandard, and pointed out that the government was building a stadium to "find the numbers."
The reporter had discovered at the time that only 8 of the 55 hard-court quintuples of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department met international standards, and the area of some of the venues was more than three times different.
Chen Maobo announced the 2021/22 budget.
(Photo by Zheng Zifeng)
A summary of the size of the five-a-side hard-court football field in Hong Kong. Only 8 out of 55 meet the "international standard", and the compliance rate is less than 15% (click to enlarge):
The Hong Kong Football Association launched its latest five-year plan earlier. Five-a-side football is also a key project. However, there are currently limited indoor stadiums in Hong Kong that can host official events. Only Shek Kip Mei Park Stadium, Tseung Kwan O Stadium and Ma On Shan Stadium.
The hardware of Hong Kong's venues lags behind nearby regions and countries. Earlier, it was suggested that the government build a superstructure for outdoor futsal stadiums, but the budget did not mention relevant details.
Chen Maobo said that the plan this time is to encourage citizens and young people to participate in football regularly and explore their potential to promote the long-term development of local football.
In the future, relevant sports associations and their affiliates, regional football organizations, schools and other groups will also have more standard venues for football training and competitions.
The Hong Kong Futsal team reached the final week of the Asian Football Association Under-20 Futsal Championship two years ago, and lost 3:7 against host Iran. Their performance won applause from home fans.
(Official picture of the Asian Football Association)
In addition, he once again mentioned the Kai Tak Sports Park to be completed in 2023, referring to the two main venues for hosting international and local football matches; the "Sports and Recreation Facilities Five-Year Plan" will also add or rebuild 12 footballs Fields, including Yuen Long Stadium.
He also proposed that when the Leisure and Cultural Services Department builds or renovates parks, it will install more innovative outdoor fitness facilities in response to the public's needs for fitness facilities, including the soon-to-be-completed North District Yiming Road Park and Tuen Mun Butterfly Beach Park.
Chen Weihao criticized the design of the five-a-side football field at Shek Kwu Long Road Playground on his Facebook page.
(Chan Wai Ho Facebook screenshot)
Budget 2021 Budget Futsal Leisure and Cultural Services Department
