Leisure and Cultural Services DepartmentLeisure and Cultural Services Department
Subvention Scheme for New Sports
Eligibility Criteria and Application Procedure
Background
Upon completion of the Comprehensive Review of Sports Subvention Scheme (the Review) in 2019, a wide range of recommendations and enhancement measures were launched to help optimise the administration of Sports Subvention Scheme (SSS) and enhance the further development of sports in Hong Kong. As revealed in the Review, overseas countries offered government funding for new sports so that more chances and choices could be provided for members of the public to take part in different sports activities. Under this inspiration, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has introduced a Pilot Scheme on Subvention for New Sports (“Pilot Scheme”) since 2021. Meanwhile, a new funding mechanism, distinct from the existing SSS, was devised to support local sports organisations and promote the development of new sports in Hong Kong, thereby offering more chances and options for members of the public to participate in more sports activities.
To further promote new sports, the LCSD has regularised the Pilot Scheme and renamed it as the “Subvention Scheme for New Sports” starting from 2025-26, offering subvention to all eligible sports organisation on an individual project basis. By doing so, the LCSD provides a platform for those sports organisations wishing to promote the long-run development of new sports in Hong Kong.
Each successful application will be offered a maximum of $200,000 or 85 per cent of the total eligible expenditure of individual activity, whichever is lower.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicant sports organisations1 wishing to apply for the “Subvention Scheme for New Sports” must fulfill the following mandatory requirements in Part A and provide necessary supplementary information in Part B:
A. Mandatory Requirements
| 1. | The applicant sports organisation must have successful experience in organising sports development programmes of various levels and types2 with active participation by the public in the past two years; |
| 2. | The new sport under application must be distinct from those sports /disciplines currently solely governed by national sports associations under the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China3； |
| 3. | The applicant sports organisation must be recognised by and affiliated to the International Federation/ Asian Federation/ Regional Federation / recognised by the General Administration of Sport of China; and |
| 4. | The applicant sports organisation must be a non-profit making organisation4 with articles of association registered as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622). |
B. Supplementary Information
| 1. | To provide a comprehensive long-term development and promotion plan, including:- | |
| a. | organisation of sports development programmes from grassroots level to territory-wide/international competition level; | |
| b. | organisation of sports promotion programmes, including those with mass participation and territory-wide programmes / large scale events at international levels; | |
| c. | nurturing of potential athletes and development of coaches and officials through official training programmes and registration system; and | |
| d. | development of a practicable implementation schedule to foster the development of the sport. | |
| 2. | To provide relevant information on competency in the organisation and arrangement of programmes, including:- | |
| a. | Relevant information on resources in respect of this application, e.g. provision and source of non-LCSD venues and non-governmental funding, and strategic plan for sustainability. Priority will be given to sports to be played at private and/or self-financed/non-LCSD venues; | |
| b. | Relevant information on popularity of the sport involved in this application, such as the number of programmes and participants (elementary training programmes must be included in such an application), and recognition and support from the local community, e.g. joint venture with or funding support from non-governmental organisations and schools, etc.; | |
| c. | Proven records on organisation of the relevant sports programmes in the past three years. | |
| 3. | To put in place governance structure, policies with transparency and accountability, such as Code of Conduct, Procurement Guidelines and Accounting Procedure, etc. and composition of office bearers; | |
| 4. | Priority will be given to the applicant sports organisations with any items in the following: | |
| a. | The International Federation/ Asian Federation / Regional Federation of the applicant sports organisation is a member of International Olympic Committee (IOC)/ Olympic Committee of Asia; | |
| b. | The applicant sports organisation is a member with Observer status of Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC); or | |
| c. | The affiliated Federation of the applicant sports organisation is a member of Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations or Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport but yet to be a member of SF&OC or eligible for applying Sports Subvention Scheme under the LCSD. | |
| 5. | Priority will be given to the sports organisations which have never received subvention from the Pilot Scheme. If the applicant sports organisations have previously received subvention from the Pilot scheme, the LCSD will take into consideration their past performance and records when vetting their applications | |
Application Procedures
Application for Subvention Scheme for New Sports 2025-26 was closed on 13 January 2025. Application for the year 2026-27 is targeted to commence in late 2025. Updated information will be released on the LCSD webpage in due course.
Application Results
Details of subvented sports organisations under Subvention Scheme for New Sports 2025-26
Enquiry
| For further information, please contact the Sports Funding Office of the LCSD. | |
| Telephone No. | : 2601 8756 |
| Fax No. | : 2393 8177 |
| : ssns@lcsd.gov.hk | |
Remark:
- The term “sports organisations” refers to any organisation with its articles of association specifying the development of sports / promotion of specific sports items as its core business.
- The applicant sports organisation must have successful experience in organising training courses in the past two years.
- Each case will be considered on its individual merits. For example, the status of the applicant organisation in the sport field concerned will be taken into account.
- The applicant sports organisation must stipulate in its articles of association that it is run on a non-profit making basis.