The dogged determination to jockey for an international position is one of the highlights of the Policy Address. Beyond dispute, purport from the community result in the outstanding performance in London 2012 Olympic and Paralytic Games. Nevertheless, in the circumstance of taking heavy financial burden, Hong Kong has to review and airframe the policy for sports development, not only to improve public health, but also to reduce medical burden along with the aging population.
Therefore, this paper will take account of the disagreement of further sports development with explanation, follow by strong arguments to illustrate that Hong Kong should place a higher priority on sports in order to face keen competition with other nations. It is contend that sports participation of Hong Kong citizens is relatively low. According to a study, “ Consultancy Study On Sports for All – Participation Pattern of Hong Kong in Physical Activities” published in 2009 by Community Sports Committee of the Sports Commission, 39. % of Hong Kong citizens aged 7 or above participate once to twice per week. The result indicates the phenomenon of lacking of popularity of sports among Hong Kong people. Consequently, sports development should not consider as the pillar of long- term blueprint for Hong Kong.
Yet, a survey from CLICK, “ Relationship teen Exercise Pattern and Emotional Health among Hong Kong People’ in 2003 revealed that sports participation has the effect in promoting good health, as well as enhancing the quality of life.
Notably, physical exercise and public health are closely related, and as a result Hong Kong should not act with disregard for the development of sports. Therefore, Hong Kong should definitely place a higher priority on sports to encourage citizens to be physical active and maintain good health status. Subsequently, some people argue that the resources distributed should meet the most imperative needs of the community, ranging from economic placement to housing and from poverty to medical services.
To certain extent, sports development is not the major concern of Hong Kong when compare to other social affairs. Although the budget and resources of government need to be wisely allotted, a paper from Hong Kong Elite Athlete Association issued in 2005, namely “ Hong Kong Elite Athletes: Roles and Needs”, reported that Hong Kong athletes have achieved outstanding results in the past few years and the medalist even becoming the role models for youth and successfully gathering people’s attention, for example Lee Way; see, ho won a gold metal in 2012 London Olympic Games.
It is reported that a total of 210 gold metals were gained from National, Asian and International Championships, with a significant rise of 2185% over the past decade. Therefore, the sustain growth in sporting achievement reveal the competitiveness of Hong Kong sports in national arena. Hence, it is believed that placing a higher priority on sports is beneficial to foster high performance sports in Hong Kong and jockey for a higher position in sporting field. Another common disagreement of further sports development is insufficient land supply in Hong Kong.
Under the circumstance of land shortage, it smothered many opportunities for entrepreneurship and limited our social and economy development. Still, according to 201 3 Policy Address, Hong Kong Sports Institute (HIS) is built and redeveloped, and Mute-purpose Sports Complex (MASC.) at Aka Take is also under construction. It is therefore believed that Hong Kong government spares enough effort in sports development.
Contrary to this opinion, as stated in the study by Community Sports Committee of the Sports Commission in 2009, less than half of the interviewees reported that sports facilities were sufficient and 39. Of them thought that sports facilities were inadequate. It is an undeniable fact that there are not enough facilities for the public, especially the local athletes. When compare with other nations, like Brazil, united Kingdom, being an athlete can be a choice for career. However, in Hong Kong, inadequate training facilities hold back the performance of players, which result in lacking competitive advantages in international races.
Therefore, placing a high priority on sports is necessary in order to construct more professional facilities for both public and players use.
In the end, it is argued that attach important to sports might result in economic sacrifice. In short, enormous amount of capital are needed to support sporting arena, for example, the building of infrastructure, provision of human resources, dissemination Of event information, promotional expenditure and you name it. It is always tough for government to reach breakable point, especially for the beginner of sports development.
Likewise, there is a fierce debate on whether Hong Kong should bid to hold the 2023 Asian Games, because of the anxiety of affecting the growth of economy in Hong Kong.
Despite the fact that further sports development might have some negative results in economy, it is beneficial to the long run, including the status and tourism of Hong Kong. One of the supportive evidences is found from The Statistic Portal, the research “ International Sports Federations marketing revenue receipts from Olympic summer games 1 992 to 2012” in 2014, reveals that the revenue generated from Olympic Games increase by each year, and 519 million LOS dollars are earned form 2012 London Olympic Games.
It is shown that possible revenues are generated from international games in long. Similarly, as stated in “ Financial and Economic Assessment of the Proposed 2023 Asian Games in Hong Kong’, from Legal in 201 0, potential positive impacts of organizing sports games are suggested. Strengthening the reputation and image of “ Sais’s World City’, using sports games to act as a bridge for the community culture and enhancing social cohesiveness are illustrated.
Clearly, the importance of sports development should not be underestimated because of the positive impacts in economy and reputation.
To conclude, actively participation in sports is wholesome is firstly explained and exercise and lath are closely related is illustrated as well. Besides, it has been elaborated that placing a high priority in sports is beneficial to foster high performance sports in Hong Kong. Likewise, a report pointed out the fact that there are inadequate sports facilities in Hong Kong as well as the necessity of constructing more resources and facilities for local citizens and athletes use. Last but not the least, the positive effects on economy and image of Hong Kong in long run outweigh the economic loss in short is also being discussed.
