View source for Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China

{{Short description|National Olympic Committee}}
{{Use Hong Kong English|date = March 2024}}
{{Infobox National Olympic Committee
| title = Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China
| logo = Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China logo.svg
| size = 150px
| flag = HKG-CHN
| country = Hong Kong, China
| code = HKG
| created = 1950
| recognised = 1951
| association = [[OCA]]
| headquarters = [[So Kon Po]], [[Hong Kong]]
| president = [[Timothy Fok]]
| secretary general =
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
The '''Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China''' ({{Lang-zh|t=中國香港體育協會暨奧林匹克委員會|labels=no}}; in short '''SFOC''', {{Lang-zh|t=港協暨奧委會|labels=no}}) is the [[National Olympic Committee]] of [[Hong Kong|Hong Kong, China]]. As such it is a separate member of the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC). It is also a member of the [[Olympic Council of Asia]]. The current president is [[Timothy Fok]]. The headquarters building is called the [[Hong Kong Olympic House]], located beside [[Hong Kong Stadium]].
==History==
[[File:Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong pre-1997 logo.svg|thumb|right|250px|The emblem used until the handover of Hong Kong in 1997]]
Before the [[handover of Hong Kong]] from the [[United Kingdom]] to the [[China|People's Republic of China]] in 1997, the committee was called the '''Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong''' and participated in 12 games (all summer) under the name "Hong Kong".
After the 1997 handover, Hong Kong became a special territory as a result of the earlier 1984 [[Sino-British Joint Declaration]], which stipulates that, albeit being part of China, it enjoys a highly autonomous status. The [[Hong Kong Basic Law|Basic Law]], its constitution, guarantees the territory's right to join international organisations and events independently (such as the [[Olympic Games]]) that are not restricted to sovereign states, under the new name "Hong Kong, China". If any of the Hong Kong athletes wins a medal in the Olympics, the [[Flag of Hong Kong|Hong Kong flag]] is raised during the medal ceremony, but the [[March of the Volunteers|national anthem of the People's Republic of China]] is played for any gold medalists.
With the government's support, the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee submitted [[Hong Kong bid for the 2006 Asian Games|Hong Kong's bid]] for hosting the [[2006 Asian Games]] to the [[Olympic Council of Asia]] (OCA) in 2000. Hong Kong lost the bid to [[Doha]] at the OCA general meeting held in [[Busan]], [[South Korea]] on 12 November 2000.
{{2008 Summer Olympics}}
At the [[2008 Summer Olympics]], the territory hosted the [[Equestrian at the 2008 Summer Olympics|equestrian events]].
=== Name inclusion: China ===
In January 2023, the SFOC told its member National Sports Associations (NSAs) that they must include the word "China" in their association names by July 2023, or else face expulsion from the SFOC, which could result in them losing government funding and their right to represent the city in major competitions.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |date=2023-01-09 |title=Hong Kong sports groups told 'put China into your names or lose all funding' |url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3206135/hong-kong-sports-associations-told-put-china-names-or-lose-government-funding-and-right-represent |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> Edgar Yang Joe-tsi of the SFOC cited Article 149 of the Basic Law as reason for the requirement.<ref name=":13" /> However, Article 149 states that the phrase "Hong Kong, China" be used "as required," which member NSAs had understood to mean it was optional.<ref name=":13" /> Yang also said "You are also reminded to use the name 'Hong Kong, China' when participating in any international sports competitions/activities and to display it on uniforms, websites and all other publicity materials, where applicable."<ref name=":13" />
== Controversy ==
The SF&OC and its member NSAs have been repeatedly cautioned throughout the years by the [[Independent Commission Against Corruption (Hong Kong)|Independent Commission Against Corruption]] (ICAC) and [[Leisure and Cultural Services Department]] (LCSD) against corruption and to implement better governance.
=== 2000s ===
In December 2003, Legislative Council member [[Albert Chan]] asked the Secretary of Home Affairs, [[Patrick Ho]], about NSAs and a perceived waste of taxpayer money, stating "Many national sports associations (NSAs) rely on public funding for operation and hosting sports events. However, some members of the public query some NSAs for their failure to make effective use of the funding to promote and develop sports events, resulting in a waste of public money."<ref>{{Cite web|title=LCQ18: Funding for national sports association|url=https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200312/03/1203210.htm|access-date=2021-06-29|website=www.info.gov.hk}}</ref>
In June 2006, the LCSD and ICAC held a seminar, named "Striving for Good Corporate Governance" to brief more than 100 members of NSAs on ways prevent corruption.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Sports bodies updated on corruption prevention|url=https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200606/23/P200606230250.htm|access-date=2021-06-29|website=www.info.gov.hk}}</ref> The Deputy Director of the LCSD said that "As users of public funds, sports bodies must not only discharge their obligations under the Subvention Agreement but also conduct their business in a transparent, fair and open manner."<ref name=":4" />
In 2007, an investigation was conducted by the [[Office of the Ombudsman (Hong Kong)|Ombudsman]], who was concerned about whether the LCSD had appropriate mechanisms to monitor NSAs for conflict of interests.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Mechanism for Handling Conflict of Interests in Organisations Subvented by LCSD|url=http://ofomb.ombudsman.hk/abc/files/07-08_Mechanism_for_Handling_Conflict_of_Interests_in_Organisations_Subvented_by_Leisure_and_Cultural_Services_Department.pdf}}</ref> The issue stemmed from a March 2006 complaint that the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association (HKAAA) had awarded a contract to a company owned by the HKAAA's chairman.<ref name=":5" /> Separately, in early 2007, the LCSD organized two workshops for NSAs on governance.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=Governance of National Sports Associations|url=https://www.hab.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/policy_responsibilities/msec_sport4_20100204_sc5_e.pdf}}</ref>
In October 2009, the Audit Commission submitted a report to the Legislative Council, with recommendations to tighten up supervision of taxpayer funds to NSAs.<ref name=":6" />
=== 2010s ===
In January 2010, the LCSD's Sports Commission wrote a policy named "Governance of National Sports Associations", outlining methods that the LCSD would take to further promote transparent governance from NSAs.<ref name=":6" /> In November 2010, a newspaper published an open letter, which questioned the criteria used to select Roller sports athletes for the [[Roller sports at the 2010 Asian Games|2010 Asian Games]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|title=HAB's response on selection criteria of athletes|url=https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201011/23/P201011230202.htm|access-date=2021-06-30|website=www.info.gov.hk}}</ref> The government responded that only the SF&OC and NSAs were responsible for selecting athletes, and that "While the Government respects the autonomy and independence of the SF&OC and NSAs, we nonetheless closely monitor the use of public money by these organisations to ensure that it is deployed effectively in promoting sports development."<ref name=":8" />
In 2011, the ICAC formulated the "Best Practice Reference for Governance of National Sports Associations - Towards Excellence in Sports Professional Development".<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|title=Audit Commission Executive Summary|url=https://www.aud.gov.hk/pdf_e/e74ch02sum.pdf|journal=Hong Kong Audit Commission}}</ref> ICAC's goal was to enhance governance and transparency from NSAs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=news.gov.hk - Categories - Law & Order - Governance guidelines issued to sports bodies|url=https://www.news.gov.hk/en/categories/law_order/html/2011/12/20111216_175906.shtml|access-date=2021-06-29|website=www.news.gov.hk}}</ref> Additionally, ICAC further mentioned that the report was for "Addressing public concern on the governance of national sports associations (NSAs)".<ref>{{Cite web|title=2012 Budget - Head 72 - INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION|url=https://www.budget.gov.hk/2012/eng/pdf/head072.pdf}}</ref> In 2020, the Audit Commission found that the SF&OC had yet to implement some of the best practices.<ref name=":0" />
In 2013, ICAC hosted another seminar with coaches from 33 NSAs, on the prevention of issues such as bribery and conflicts of interest.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Update|url=http://www.hkcoaching.com/hk/publications/update/issue56/update.html|access-date=2021-06-29|website=www.hkcoaching.com}}</ref>
In February 2015, the Legislative Council released an 85-page research report on the SF&OC, which pointed out deficiencies, such as "NOCs in Hong Kong and Singapore have hitherto released limited publicly available information regarding their operations. While they have uploaded their respective constitution onto their websites, other relevant documents such as annual reports, balance sheets and statements of accounts are not available in the public domain. In comparison, NOCs in Australia, Japan and the US show a high degree of openness and transparency with proactive disclosure of relevant information for the public understanding and scrutiny of their operations."<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Research Report - Olympic committees, sports federations and sports development in selected places|url=https://www.legco.gov.hk/research-publications/english/1415rp02-olympic-committees-sports-federations-and-sports-development-in-selected-places-20150203-e.pdf|journal=Legislative Council Research Office}}</ref>
In 2015, a seminar was co-hosted between the SF&OC and the [[Equal Opportunities Commission (Hong Kong)|Equal Opportunities Commission]] (EOC), on eliminating sexual harassment in the sports sector.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=2018-01-30 |title=Hong Kong sports bodies urged to create policies against sexual abuse |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2131257/hong-kong-sports-authorities-urged-create-policies-against |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> However, three years later in 2018, it was revealed that only 10 of 79 NSAs had created guidelines against sexual harassment.<ref name=":11" /> The chairman of the EOC stated that "We are disappointed to see many NSAs that have not produced such guidelines and policies".<ref name=":11" />
In August 2016, the ''[[Hong Kong Economic Journal]]'' released an article, accusing the SF&OC and Timothy Fok of various transgressions.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=How a cabal controls Hong Kong's Olympic sports EJINSIGHT - ejinsight.com|url=https://www.ejinsight.com/eji/article/id/1359796/20160805-How-a-cabal-controls-Hong-Kongs-Olympic-sports|access-date=2021-06-12|website=EJINSIGHT}}</ref> For example, it claimed Timothy Fok has power on all important subcommittees, including those which select athletes, and those which control finances.<ref name=":1" /> In addition, it claimed that Timothy Fok appointed his son, [[Kenneth Fok]], as vice-president, without transparency, and that Kenneth Fok has no record in any type of sporting achievement.<ref name=":1" />
=== 2020s ===
In April 2020, the government's [[Audit Commission (Hong Kong)|Audit Commission]] released a 141-page report after investigating the Olympic Committee, describing various failures with the SF&OC, including lax governance.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2020-04-29|title=Watchdog pans Hong Kong Olympic Committee over spending, lack of meetings|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3082218/hong-kong-watchdog-pans-citys-olympic-committee-over|access-date=2021-06-12|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref> The Audit Commission noted that around half of SF&OC's 29 subcommittees had not met for two years.<ref name=":2" /> Procurement rules were also not followed, including the SF&OC getting only single quotes from suppliers instead of tendering offers, causing a rising deficit of HK$33,000 in 2014-15 to HK$588,000 in 2018-19.<ref name=":2" />
Audit also accused SF&OC of having unclear criteria for selecting athletes for international competitions, including the selection of 11 of 17 athletes for the [[2018 Asian Games]] based on criteria that was not previously given to their NSAs.<ref name=":2" /> A month later, in May 2020, [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]] members questioned the Olympic Committee's governance, accusing the SF&OC of lacking transparency when selecting athletes for the [[2018 Asian Games]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2020-05-25|title=Olympic chiefs slammed by lawmakers for lack of proper governance|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3085976/hong-kong-olympic-committee-slammed-lawmakers-lack-proper|access-date=2021-06-12|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref> In particular, the legislators asked why the fastest swimmer was not selected to compete, with a slower swimmer selected instead.<ref name=":3" /> In one conversation, legislator [[Abraham Razack]] asked "The Olympic Committee spends HK$20 million a year of public money but has it been fair to the athletes?"<ref name=":3" /> SCMP noted that the Olympic Committee's total government funding was HK$38.9 million in 2018-19.<ref name=":2" />
In response, [[Hong Kong Baptist University|Baptist University]]'s Professor Chung Pak-kwong, former chief executive of the [[Hong Kong Sports Institute]], said that the SF&OC "has grown into an empire and transparency and accountability are not in their dictionary".<ref name=":2" /> Furthermore, the ''[[South China Morning Post|SCMP]]'' released an editorial, agreeing with the Audit Commission and stating that the city's sports development was at risk.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-05-02|title=Hong Kong's sport bodies should lift their game|url=https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3082612/hong-kongs-sport-bodies-should-lift-their-game|access-date=2021-06-12|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref>
In July 2020, the [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council's]] Public Accounts Committee criticized the [[Hong Kong Football Association]] under Timothy Fok, stating its governance was "appalling and inexcusable".<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|title=Lawmakers cry foul over HKFA's management - RTHK|url=https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1537891-20200715.htm?|access-date=2021-07-19|website=news.rthk.hk|language=en-gb}}</ref> It noted that an internal audit committee, designed to review the association's use of taxpayer funding, was not active between 2015 and 2019, despite receiving HK$34 million in funding for the 2017-18 year.<ref name=":9" />
In October 2020, the [[Chief Secretary for Administration]] announced that the HAB would provide HK$5 million each year for 5 years (2020-21 to 2025-26) to SF&OC to review the operation and internal monitoring of all national sports association members, designed to review and audit their processes.<ref name=":7" />
In 2021, ICAC charged the vice chairman of the executive committee of the Hong Kong Basketball Association (HKBA) with disclosing an ICAC probe,<ref>{{Cite web|title=ICAC, HKSAR - Press Releases - Vice chairman of sports organisation charged with disclosing ICAC probe|url=https://www.icac.org.hk/en/press/index_id_1111.html|access-date=2021-06-29|website=www.icac.org.hk}}</ref> as well as a coach of the [[Hong Kong women's national handball team]] for faking timecard records.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ICAC, HKSAR - Press Releases - Women's Handball Team coach admits conspiracy to defraud over training allowance|url=https://www.icac.org.hk/en/press/index_id_1085.html|access-date=2021-06-29|website=www.icac.org.hk}}</ref>
In August 2021, a triathlete who represented [[Hong Kong at the 2020 Summer Olympics]] stated that NSAs had enough funding, but were not doing enough to identify and develop top athletes to funnel them to the [[Hong Kong Sports Institute]], causing about 90% of qualified triathletes to drop out of the sport.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-09|title=Can Hong Kong nurture even more Olympic medallists? Experts aren't convinced|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3144294/tokyo-olympics-was-hong-kongs-greatest-games-ever-are-more-medals|access-date=2021-08-09|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref>
In September 2021, ''SCMP'' published an article which detailed multiple complaints against the Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association (HKIHA), from former coaches and players.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|date=2021-09-12|title=Why Hong Kong's ice hockey players are feeling shut out|url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3148148/why-hong-kongs-ice-hockey-players-are-feeling|access-date=2021-10-04|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref> They accused the association of lacking transparency in corporate governance, as well as conflicts of interest between the chairman and the association, causing the development of the sport to be hampered.<ref name=":10" /> Some of those interviewed claimed that they had been frustrated with the association from the 1990s, and that letters to the LCSD had gone ignored.<ref name=":10" />
In April 2022, the Hong Kong Basketball Association (HKBA) drew criticism from local basketball players, after local media reported that the HKBA had withdrawn from the [[2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualification|2025 FIBA Asia Cup]] and did not register a team to participate in the qualifiers; the HKBA claimed that there was a miscommunication issue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Standard |first=The |title=HK to cohost National Games |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/4/240746/HK-to-cohost-National-Games |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref>
In September 2023, local media reported that 2 sports associations under the SF&OC had consistently failed to submit annual audited financial returns; the Hong Kong Weightlifting and Powerlifting Association, and the Hong Kong Tug of War Association.<ref>{{Cite web |title=成立7年 舉重健力總會公司未向註冊處交報表 處方：未按時交可罰款 會方：格式問題被退回更正 - 20230918 - 要聞 |url=https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%e8%a6%81%e8%81%9e/article/20230918/s00001/1694974755418/%e6%88%90%e7%ab%8b7%e5%b9%b4-%e8%88%89%e9%87%8d%e5%81%a5%e5%8a%9b%e7%b8%bd%e6%9c%83%e5%85%ac%e5%8f%b8%e6%9c%aa%e5%90%91%e8%a8%bb%e5%86%8a%e8%99%95%e4%ba%a4%e5%a0%b1%e8%a1%a8-%e8%99%95%e6%96%b9-%e6%9c%aa%e6%8c%89%e6%99%82%e4%ba%a4%e5%8f%af%e7%bd%b0%e6%ac%be-%e6%9c%83%e6%96%b9-%e6%a0%bc%e5%bc%8f%e5%95%8f%e9%a1%8c%e8%a2%ab%e9%80%80%e5%9b%9e%e6%9b%b4%e6%ad%a3 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=明報新聞網 - 每日明報 daily news |language=zh-hant}}</ref>
In October 2023, [[Bernard Charnwut Chan|Bernard Chan]] wrote that "governing bodies must operate to the highest professional standards, with equally high standards of governance, accountability and transparency."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-20 |title=Opinion: Hong Kong can lift athletes' game with more targeted funding |url=https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3238460/lift-hong-kong-athletes-game-more-targeted-funding-needed |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>
In January 2024, a former Hong Kong elite Olympic coach moved to the UK because she said Hong Kong did not offer enough support for elite coaches, saying she was unpaid.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-29 |title=Barred from pro sports, ex-Hong Kong athletes, coaches adjust to life in Britain |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3250051/jobless-cold-and-depressed-barred-pro-sports-former-hong-kong-elite-athletes-coaches-adjust-life |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>
In June 2024, the ex-head coach of Hong Kong football team, Jorn Andersen, said that [[Football Association of Hong Kong, China|Hong Kong Football Association]] receiving millions of taxpayer dollars every year made the HKFA have no motivation to improve, and said that the HKFA needed to be "more professional, from top to bottom," and did "not do enough" to improve the sport.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |date=2024-06-29 |title=Public cash means Hong Kong football lacks motivation to improve, says ex-coach |url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3268557/hong-kong-should-stop-spending-millions-taxpayers-cash-football-says-ex-coach |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> He also named Eric Fok as not taking enough action for the sport.<ref name=":14" />
In July 2024, Alex Fong criticized the Hong Kong China Swimming Association for not allowing a young swimmer to compete, despite the swimmer having a qualified time. Fong said that the association was "indifferent" towards young and promising athletes; the association later allowed the young swimmer to compete, but did not change its regulations to allow future swimmers from competition swimming clubs to compete, and said that future swimmers must first write an application to the association.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Irene |date=2024-07-08 |title=HK swimmer Alex Fong accuses sports association of 'indifference' |url=http://hongkongfp.com/2024/07/08/hong-kong-swimmer-alex-fong-accuses-swimming-association-of-indifference-towards-young-promising-swimmers/ |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Irene |date=2024-07-10 |title=HK swimming body to allow all who qualify to join championships |url=http://hongkongfp.com/2024/07/10/hong-kong-swimming-body-to-allow-all-who-qualify-to-join-championships-lawmaker-says-after-dispute/ |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Irene |date=2024-07-15 |title=HK swimming body allows young swimmer to join championships |url=http://hongkongfp.com/2024/07/15/hong-kong-swimming-body-allows-young-swimmer-to-join-championships-as-ex-athlete-alex-fong-calls-for-change/ |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In August 2024, after complaints that athletes were paid less than minimum wage, Edgar Yang, an official of the SF&OC, said that athletes should consider their stipends as a "perk."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ho |first=Kelly |date=2024-08-21 |title=In Pictures: Hong Kong Olympians receive warm welcome on bus parade |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2024/08/21/in-pictures-hong-kong-leader-hails-olympians-heroes-as-athletes-receive-warm-welcome-on-bus-parade/ |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref> After Yang's statement, multiple current and former athletes complained about the financial burdens they endured.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tse |first=Hans |date=2024-08-24 |title=How much do Hong Kong's athletes and para athletes earn? |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2024/08/24/explainer-how-much-do-hong-kongs-athletes-and-para-athletes-earn/ |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Funding ==
Other National Olympic Committees, such as the [[United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee|US Olympic and Paralympic Committee]], do not receive any taxpayer funding.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-13|title=How investment in sport has helped unite Hong Kong|url=https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/hong-kong/article/3144727/sports-investment-brings-its-own-rewards-hong-kong|access-date=2021-08-13|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref> By contrast, the SF&OC receives 3 sources of government funding:<ref name=":0" />
# Arts and Sport Development Fund (Sports Portion) (ASDF)
# Home Affairs Bureau (HAB)'s funding
# Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)'s recurrent subvention
According to the Audit Commission, total government funding for 2018-19 was HK$38.9 million.<ref name=":0" /> The HAB said that it will increase its funding from HK$20 million in 2019-20 to HK$40.6 million in 2020-21.<ref name=":0" />
An additional HK$5 million each year for 5 years (2020-21 to 2025-26) will go to the SF&OC to review the operation and internal monitoring of all national sports association members, designed to review and audit their processes.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title=LC: Speech by CS in presenting Government Minute in response to Report of Public Accounts Committee No. 74|url=https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202010/28/P2020102800544.htm|access-date=2021-06-12|website=www.info.gov.hk}}</ref>
== Incidents ==
=== National anthem incidents ===
In November 2022, honorary secretary general Ronny Wong said that junior staff should not be allowed to play national anthems at competitions, after "[[Glory to Hong Kong]]" was played at a rugby match in South Korea.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Stop junior staff from playing national anthems' - RTHK |url=https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1675811-20221116.htm? |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=news.rthk.hk |language=en-gb}}</ref> Wong also said he found the mistake hard to believe and would not accept the explanation or apology from Asia Rugby, and said that South Korea should be banned from hosting similar events.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Standard |first=The |title=Sports official calls for strong response over anthem "mistake" |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/197168/Sports-official-calls-for-strong-response-over-anthem-%E2%80%98mistake%E2%80%99 |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=2022-11-16 |title='Hong Kong should complain to rugby world body, ban Korea over song blunder' |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199803/hong-kong-should-file-complaint-rugby-world-body-ban-south-korea-hosting-events-sports-sector-leader |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> Wong also said that most of the Hong Kong team members were "foreigners".<ref name=":12" /> After a second incident was revealed, Wong said that the SFOC would issue new guidelines on using the anthem and flag, and that the SFOC would instruct players to make gestures if the played anthem is incorrect.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sports teams to get flag, anthem guidelines - RTHK |url=https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1676505-20221121.htm? |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=news.rthk.hk |language=en-gb}}</ref>
In March 2023, after another incident where Glory to Hong Kong was played, Pui Kwan-kay of the SF&OC said that the government should force Google to de-prioritize the song on its search results.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-02 |title=Hong Kong must get Google to fix national anthem results problem: sports body |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3212052/national-anthem-blunder-hong-kong-authorities-must-get-google-fix-results-problem-sports-federation |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> The SF&OC created a committee to investigate the [[Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association]] (HKIHA) after the incident, and said that the association may be kicked out of the Olympic Committee for failing to follow procedures to produce the correct anthem.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-10 |title=Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association could face sanctions over anthem fiasco |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3213154/hong-kong-ice-hockey-association-may-be-kicked-out-sports-federation-and-lose-funding-failing-follow |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> The HKIHA responded by saying that the SF&OC provided a faulty link to download the correct anthem, when the webpage was changed to English.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-14 |title=Hockey association blames Hong Kong's sports federation for causing anthem blunder |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3213459/hockey-association-points-finger-hong-kongs-sport-federation-providing-organisers-incorrect-link |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> The HKIHA also said that the SF&OC was to blame, and said "We felt that the SF&OC personnel handling the matter hoped to prove that only the HKIHA was at fault, and did not treat SF&OC's role and responsibility in this incident seriously."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chau |first=Candice |date=2023-04-06 |title=Punishing Hong Kong ice hockey association over anthem blunder would be unreasonable, says player |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2023/04/06/punishing-hong-kong-ice-hockey-association-over-anthem-blunder-would-be-unreasonable-says-player/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In May 2023, the SF&OC told its member sports associations to boycott ceremonies if the event organizer does not let them verify the national anthem.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheng |first=Mandy |date=2023-05-31 |title=Hong Kong sports teams told to boycott ceremonies if organiser refuses national anthem check under new guidelines |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2023/05/31/hong-kong-sports-teams-told-to-boycott-ceremonies-if-organiser-refuses-national-anthem-check-under-new-guidelines/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Organizational structure ==
=== Members ===
Only the members of SF&OC could send athletes to representing Hong Kong in multi-sports events organized by [[Asian Olympics Committee]] or [[IOC]], such as [[Asian Games]] and [[Olympic Games]]. [[Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards]] also only accept those athletes by the member associations. Therefore, some famous sportsmen were unable to participate in the election.<ref name="hk01_20180118">{{cite news|url=https://www.hk01.com/%E5%8D%B3%E6%99%82%E9%AB%94%E8%82%B2/150635/%E8%B3%BD%E8%BB%8A-%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E6%B1%BD%E8%BB%8A%E6%9C%83%E7%B5%82%E7%8D%B2%E5%8A%A0%E5%85%A5%E6%B8%AF%E5%8D%94%E6%9A%A8%E5%A5%A7%E5%A7%94%E6%9C%83-%E4%BC%8D%E5%AE%B6%E9%BA%92%E5%88%9D%E5%98%97%E5%82%91%E9%81%8B%E6%8F%90%E5%90%8D|title=【賽車】香港汽車會終獲加入港協暨奧委會 伍家麒初嘗傑運提名|publisher=[[HK01]]|date=2018-01-18|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref>
==== Member list ====
Latest update on 27 May 2018. [[Karatedo Federation of Hong Kong]] was temporarily suspended with effect from 8 June 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hkolympic.org/national_sport.php?osCsid=vsjra3q3emneo1c4hdt2n95rb7|title=本地體育總會|publisher=[[Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong]]|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! No. !! Organization !! Sport !! Year of establishment!! Year of acceptance
|-
| 1 || [[Victoria Recreation Club]]|| N/A || 1849 ||
|-
| 2 || [[South China Athletic Association]] || N/A || 1910 ||
|-
| 3 || [[Chinese Young Men's Christian Association of Hong Kong]]|| N/A || 1901 ||
|-
| 4 || [[Hong Kong Association of Athletics Affiliates]] || [[Sport of athletics|Athletics]] || 1951 ||
|-
| 5 || [[Hong Kong Fencing Association]]|| [[Fencing]] || 1949 ||
|-
| 6 || [[Gymnastics Association of Hong Kong]]|| [[Gymnastics]] || 1965 ||
|-
| 7 || [[Handball Association of Hong Kong]]|| [[Handball]] || 1970 ||
|-
| 8 || [[Hong Kong Rowing Association]]|| [[Rowing (sport)|Rowing]] || 1978 ||
|-
| 9 || [[Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association]]|| [[Swimming (sport)|Swimming]] || 1950 ||
|-
| 10 || [[Hong Kong Weightlifting and Powerlifting Association]]|| [[Olympic weightlifting|Weightlifting]], [[Powerlifting]] || ||
|-
| 11 || [[Hong Kong Archery Association]]|| [[Archery]] || 1972 ||
|-
| 12 || [[Hong Kong Badminton Association]]|| [[Badminton]] || 1934 ||
|-
| 13 || [[Hong Kong Basketball Association]]|| [[Basketball]] ||
|-
| 14 || [[Hong Kong Boxing Association]]|| [[Boxing]] || 1955 ||
|-
| 15 || [[Hong Kong Canoe Union]]|| [[Canoeing]] || ||
|-
| 16 || [[Hong Kong Cycling Association]] || [[Cycle sport|Cycling]] || 1960 ||
|-
| 17 || [[Hong Kong Football Association]] || [[Association football|Football]] || 1914
|-
| 18 || [[Hong Kong Hockey Association]] || [[Field hockey|Hockey]] || 1933 ||
|-
| 19 || [[Hong Kong Equestrian Federation]]|| [[List of equestrian sports|Equestrian]] || 1973 ||
|-
| 20 || [[Judo Association of Hong Kong]]|| [[Judo]] || 1970 ||
|-
| 21 || [[Hong Kong Volleyball Association]]|| [[Volleyball]] || 1959 ||
|-
| 22 || [[Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association]]|| [[Lawn bowls]] || ||
|-
| 23 || [[Hong Kong Miniature Football Association]]|| [[Miniature football]] || ||
|-
| 24 || [[Hong Kong Shooting Association]]|| [[Shooting sports|Shooting]] || 1994 ||
|-
| 25 || [[Hong Kong Softball Association]]|| [[Softball]] || 1937 ||
|-
| 26 || [[Hong Kong Table Tennis Association]]|| [[Table tennis]] || 1936 ||
|-
| 27 || [[Hong Kong Tennis Association]]|| [[Tennis]] || 1909 ||
|-
| 28 || [[Hong Kong Sailing Federation]] || [[Sailing (sport)|Sailing]] || 1962 ||
|-
| 29 || [[Hong Kong Tenpin Bowling Congress]]|| [[Bowling]] || ||
|-
| 30 || [[Hong Kong Wushu Union Limited]]|| [[Wushu (sport)|Wushu]] || ||
|-
| 31 || [[Hong Kong Rugby Union]] || [[Rugby union]] || 1956 ||
|-
| 32 || [[Hong Kong Squash]] || [[Squash (sport)|Squash]] || 1961 ||
|-
| 33 || [[Hong Kong Triathlon Association]]|| [[Triathlon]] || ||
|-
| 34 || [[Hong Kong Baseball Association]]|| [[Baseball]] || 1992 ||
|-
| 35 || [[Windsurfing Association of Hong Kong]]|| [[Windsurfing]] || 1979 ||
|-
| 36 || [[Karatedo Federation of Hong Kong]]|| [[Karate]] || ||
|-
| 37 || [[Hong Kong Kendo Association]]|| [[Kendo]] || ||
|-
| 38 || [[Hong Kong Little League]]|| [[Little League Baseball]] || ||
|-
| 39 || [[Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation]] || N/A || 1997 ||
|-
| 40 || [[Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association]]|| [[Paralympics]] || ||
|-
| 41 || [[Hong Kong Sports Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability]]|| [[Disabled sports]] || ||
|-
| 42 || [[Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts Dragon and Lion Dance Association]]|| [[Dragon dance]] & [[Lion dance]] || ||
|-
| 43 || [[Hong Kong Taekwondo Association]]|| [[Taekwondo]] || ||
|-
| 44 || [[Orienteering Association of Hong Kong]] || [[Orienteering]] || 1981 ||
|-
| 45 || [[Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association]] || [[Ice hockey]] || 1983 ||
|-
| 46 || [[Hong Kong Skating Union]]|| [[Ice skating|Skating]] || 1980 ||
|-
| 47 || [[University Sports Federation of Hong Kong]]|| N/A || ||
|-
| 48 || [[Hong Kong Federation of Roller Sports]]|| [[Roller sports & Skateboarding]] || ||
|-
| 49 || [[Cricket Hong Kong]] || [[Cricket]] || 1968 ||
|-
| 50 || [[Hong Kong DanceSport Association]]|| [[Dancesport]] || ||
|-
| 51 || [[Hong Kong Golf Association]] || [[Golf]] || 1968 ||
|-
| 52 || [[Hong Kong Mountaineering and Climbing Union]]|| [[Climbing]] & [[Mountaineering]] || ||
|-
| 53 || [[Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association]]|| [[Dragon boat]] || 1991 ||
|-
| 54 || [[Hong Kong Chinese Chess Association]]|| [[Chinese chess]] || ||
|-
| 55 || [[Hong Kong Netball Association]]|| [[Netball]] || ||
|-
| 56 || [[Hong Kong Shuttlecock Association ]]|| [[Shuttlecock]] || ||
|-
| 57 || [[Hong Kong Society for the Deaf]]|| N/A || ||
|-
| 58 || [[Hong Kong Go Association]] || [[Go (game)|Go]] || 1982 ||
|-
| 59 || [[Hong Kong Contract Bridge Association]]|| [[Contract bridge]] ||  ||
|-
| 60 || [[Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong]]|| N/A || ||
|-
| 61 || [[Hong Kong Underwater Association]]|| [[Underwater sports]] || ||
|-
| 62 || [[Hong Kong Kart Club]]|| [[Kart racing]] || ||
|-
| 63 || [[Hong Kong Bodybuilding and Fitness Association]]|| [[Bodybuilding]] || ||
|-
| 64 || [[Hong Kong Association of Sports Medicine and Sports Science]]|| N/A || ||
|-
| 65 || [[Hong Kong Gateball Association Company]]|| [[Gateball]] || ||
|-
| 66 || [[Hong Kong Paragliding Association]]|| [[Paragliding]] || ||
|-
| 67 || [[Hong Kong Aviation Club]] || [[Aviation]] || 1982 ||
|-
| 68 || [[Hong Kong Billiard Sports Control Council]]|| [[Billiard sports]] || 1993 ||
|-
| 69 || [[Hong Kong Ultimate Players Association]]|| [[Ultimate (sport)|Ultimate]] || 1991 ||
|-
| 70 || [[Hong Kong Life Saving Society]]|| [[Lifesaving]] || ||
|-
| 71 || [[Hong Kong Water Ski Association]]|| [[Water skiing]] || ||
|-
| 72 || [[Ski Association of Hong Kong]]|| [[Skiing]] || 2003 ||
|-
| 73 || [[Hong Kong Muay Thai Association]]|| [[Muay Thai]] || 2002 ||
|-
| 74 || [[Hong Kong Korfball Association]]|| [[Korfball]] || ||
|-
| 75 || [[Hong Kong Woodball Association]]|| [[Woodball]] || ||
|-
| 76 || [[Health Qigong Association of Hong Kong]]|| [[Qigong]] || ||
|-
| 77 || [[Hong Kong Tug of War Association]]|| [[Tug of war]] || ||
|-
| 78 || [[Hong Kong Lacrosse Association]] || [[Lacrosse]] || 1993 ||
|-
| 79 || [[Hong Kong Automobile Association]]|| [[Motorsport]] || 1918 || 2017<ref name="hk01_20180118" />
|}
==See also==
* [[Chinese Olympic Committee]]
* [[Macau Sports and Olympic Committee]]
* [[Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee]]
* [[British Olympic Association]]
* [[Hong Kong bid for the 2006 Asian Games]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{Official Website}}
{{OCA}}
{{Sports governing bodies in Hong Kong}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:National Olympic Committees|Hong Kong, China]]
[[Category:Hong Kong at the Olympics| ]]
[[Category:Sports governing bodies in Hong Kong| ]]
[[Category:1950 establishments in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Sports organizations established in 1950]]