View source for Football Association of Hong Kong, China

{{Short description|Governing body of association football in Hong Kong}}
{{National football association
|Logo                  = HKFA logo 2023.svg
|Badge_size = 80px  
|Founded  = {{Start date and age|df=yes|01 June 1914}}
|Folded                = 
|Headquarters          = [[Kowloon]], [[Hong Kong]]
|FIFA affiliation      = 1954
|Region                = [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]]
|Region affiliation    = 1954
|Subregion             = [[East Asian Football Federation|EAFF]]
|Subregion affiliation = 2002
|Website               = {{URL|https://hkfa.com/en/}}
|President             = Pui Kwan Kay
|name=The Football Association<br>of Hong Kong, China}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| pic = HK HKFA HQ.JPG
| picsize = 250px
| piccap = The headquarters of HKFA in [[Ho Man Tin]].
| showflag = stp
| t = 中國香港足球總會
| p = Zhōngguó Xiānggǎng Zúqiú Zǒnghuì
| w = Chungkuo Hsiangkang Tsuch'iu Tsunghui
| j = Zung1gwok3 Hoeng1gong2 zeoi3kau4 jung2wui2
| y = Jūnggwok Heunggóng jeuikàuh jungwuìh
| ci = {{IPA|yue|tsʊŋ˧kwɔ:k˧.hœ́ːŋkɔ̌ːŋ.tsɵ̄ykɐ̏u.tsʊŋwȕːi|}}
}}
The '''Football Association of Hong Kong, China''' ('''HKFA''', {{zh|t=中國香港足球總會}}; formerly '''Hong Kong Football Association''') is the governing body of [[association football]] in [[Hong Kong]]. It is currently a member of [[FIFA]], the [[Asian Football Confederation]] (AFC), and the [[East Asian Football Federation]] (EAFF). Its current chairman is Eric Fok.<ref>[http://www.the-afc.com/en/inside-afc/676-afc-news/24747-hkfa-appoints-yuen-as-general-secretary HKFA appoints Yuen as General Secretary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714075641/http://www.the-afc.com/en/inside-afc/676-afc-news/24747-hkfa-appoints-yuen-as-general-secretary |date=2009-07-14 }}. ''the-afc.com''.</ref>

==History==
The HKFA was established in 1914. It is one of the oldest football federations in Asia and is responsible for organising various [[Hong Kong football league|football competitions]] including professional and amateur leagues, football development and promoting football in Hong Kong.

In 1954, HKFA joined [[FIFA]], and was also one of twelve founding associations of the [[Asian Football Confederation]]. Hong Kong played an important role in the early development of Asian football, and was given the honour of hosting the first [[Asian Cup]] competition in [[Asian Cup 1956|1956]], in which Hong Kong finished third in the tournament.

Hong Kong fields a separate FIFA-recognised representative team instead of the China PR national team.

HKFA is also responsible for operating the [[Hong Kong national football team]] ({{zh|c=香港足球代表隊}}), which represents [[Hong Kong]] and competes in international football events.

HKFA's president is Pui Kwan Kay <Small>[[Hong Kong honours system|SBS]]</small> and its chairman is Eric Fok <Small>[[Justice of the Peace|JP]]</small>. The CEO post has been eliminated since Joaquin Tam Chau Long's resignation as CEO. Tam's tenure was reported by media to have been controversial, with some executives leaving the association on his first day in office, along with being involved in two separate lawsuits with employees later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Standard |first=The |title=HKFA chief resigns after three years of turmoil |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/50015047/263045/HKFA-chief-resigns-after-three-years-of-turmoil |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref>

=== Project Phoenix ===
Project Phoenix is a government-supported action plan to reform Hong Kong football from top to bottom.

=== 2010–11 ===
Former [[The FA]] executive director [[David Davies (football administrator)|David Davies]] led the team of change agent - [[Scott Wilson Group]], which was appointed by Hong Kong Football Association in September 2010 to carry out the reform and restructuring of football in Hong Kong.<ref>[http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/zt/viewer.aspx Ex-England soccer chief helps HK] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914060422/http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/Interstitial.aspx |date=2023-09-14 }} South China Morning Post 2010-10-06</ref>

On 21 November 2011, HKFA named [[Gordon McKie]] as its first chief executive officer (CEO).  Gordon, the former chairman of the [[Scottish Rugby Union]], had served HKFA for only ten months and resign from his post in September 2012 with personal reasons.<ref>[http://gbcode.rthk.org.hk/TuniS/www.rthk.org.hk/mobile/news/20111121/799727.htm HKFA names Gordon McKie as CEO]{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''RTHK''. 21 November 2011.</ref>

On 17 December 2011, HKFA appointed [[Ernie Merrick]] as the national head coach of Hong Kong Football Team. Merrick told to media that he felt honor to have an opportunity to participate the development and growing of Hong Kong football. Merrick won two titles in six season for [[Melbourne Victory]]. He started his new role on 9 January 2012.<ref>[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/former-melbourne-victory-coach-ernie-merrick-to-coach-hong-kong/story-e6frfg8x-1226224359804 Former Melbourne Victory coach Ernie Merrick to coach Hong Kong] ''Herald Sun''. David Davutovic. 17 December 2011.</ref>

On 23 December 2011, [[Kim Pan-Gon]] named national academy coach. Coach Kim will be wholly responsible for the identification, development and coaching of all players aged 18 and below.<ref>[http://www.hkfa.com/includes_files/board_details.php?news_id=9142 HKFA appoint National Academy Coach] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005130826/https://www.hkfa.com/?news_id=9142 |date=2022-10-05 }} ''HKFA.com''. 23 December 2011.</ref>

=== 2012–13 ===
On 17 April 2012, Australian [[Steve O'Connor]] was appointed as the new technical director. The former head coach of the football program at the Australian Institute of Sport will take up his new post in will be responsible to improve the standards of local coaching, referee development, community and youth football activities and women's football. He will also oversee the implementation of elite player development pathways from grassroots football to senior international level.<ref>[http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=8&art_id=121602&sid=36091675&con_type=1&d_str=20120418&fc=4 Aussie O'Connor happy to sign on as HKFA technical director] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522142712/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=8&art_id=121602&sid=36091675&con_type=1&d_str=20120418&fc=4 |date=2012-05-22 }} ''The Standard''. 18 April 2012.</ref>

On 17 September 2012, HKFA appointed Mark Sutcliffe to replace Gordon Mckie as the CEO of HKFA.

On 7 February 2013, the Hong Kong Football Association stated that the new [[Hong Kong Premier League|Premier League]] would get under way in Autumn 2014, where it was suggested that the 2013–14 season would be a transition year.

On 28 May 2013, HKFA promoted Korean coach [[Kim Pan-Gon]] to replace [[Ernie Merrick]] as the head coach of [[Hong Kong national football team|Hong Kong national team]].

=== 2015 ===
In June 2015, The Government turned green light to build a [[Tseung Kwan O Football Training Centre|national training centre]] in Tseung Kwan O. The budget of construction will be fully supported by the [[Hong Kong Jockey Club]].

On 29 November 2015, [[Asian Football Confederation]] awarded the '''AFC Developing Member Association of the Year''' award to Hong Kong Football Association in recognition of its professional administration and governance as well its exceptional contribution to the development and promotion of the game at all levels within the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-afc.com/2015-awards/afc-developing-ma-of-the-year-2015-hong-kong|title=AFC DEVELOPING MA OF THE YEAR 2015: HONG KONG|date=29 Nov 2015|website=Asian Football Confederation|access-date=30 November 2015|archive-date=31 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831055713/http://www.the-afc.com/2015-awards/afc-developing-ma-of-the-year-2015-hong-kong|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2019 ===
On 4 December 2019, [[Asian Football Confederation]] awarded the '''AFC Developing Member Association of the Year''' award to the Hong Kong Football Association in recognition of excellent work in football development, women and girls football, community and district football, referee development, sports science, charitable projects and the expansion of facilities with the opening on the long-awaited Football Training Centre.

=== 2023 ===
In March 2023, the football association changed its name from '''"The Hong Kong Football Association"''' ({{zh|t=香港足球總會}}) to "'''The Football Association of Hong Kong, China'''" ({{zh|t=中國香港足球總會}}) as a result of the [[Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China]] threatening to withdraw government funding for the HKFA. The rebrand was accompanied by a new emblem and a new emblem for the [[Hong Kong national football team]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=中國香港足球總會 |url=https://www.hkfa.com//en/news/press-release/19772/detail |access-date=2023-05-11 |website=中國香港足球總會 |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511144008/https://www.hkfa.com//en/news/press-release/19772/detail |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Criticism ==
Timothy Fok has served as president of the Hong Kong Football Association since 1997, after his father held the position for almost 30 years.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-15|title=Eric Fok says 12 years in England forged his passion for football|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3125511/eric-fok-has-football-his-genes-his-passion-game-stems-his-time|access-date=2021-06-19|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|archive-date=2022-04-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421021128/https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3125511/eric-fok-has-football-his-genes-his-passion-game-stems-his-time|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2020, the [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]]'s Public Accounts Committee criticized the HKFA under Timothy Fok, stating its governance was "appalling and inexcusable".<ref name=":0">{{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=2021-06-19|website=news.rthk.hk|language=en-gb|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201852/https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1537891-20200715.htm|url-status=live}}</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=":0" /> Members of the Legislative Council also questioned if that taxpayer money was justified and well spent.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-03|title=Hong Kong football saved but lambasted FA under scrutiny|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3091714/hong-kong-football-saved-government-continues-funding-lambasted-fa|access-date=2021-07-14|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628123342/https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3091714/hong-kong-football-saved-government-continues-funding-lambasted-fa|url-status=live}}</ref> After HKFA's governance was criticized, the Legislative Council wanted to appoint board members to improve HKFA's governance, but the HKFA rejected the idea and claimed candidates should go through proper election procedures.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-09|title=Thanks, but no thanks: HKFA rejects government appointees to board|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3088209/troubled-hong-kong-football-association-says-no-government|access-date=2021-07-19|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|archive-date=2021-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719051559/https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3088209/troubled-hong-kong-football-association-says-no-government|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, the government's [[Audit Commission (Hong Kong)|Audit Commission]] criticized HKFA, stating that the government had given HK$160,000,000 of taxpayer money to the HKFA but there was little improvement, and that Project Phoenix had a "lack of progress".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2020-04-29|title=Hong Kong FA criticised for making 'little progress' since 2011|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3082198/hong-kong-fa-criticised-government-making-little-progress-project|access-date=2021-07-15|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|archive-date=2021-07-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715151540/https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3082198/hong-kong-fa-criticised-government-making-little-progress-project|url-status=live}}</ref> The report stated that some performance metrics had even declined since 2009, rather than improving.<ref name=":1" />

In August 2022, a former coach of the women's team was arrested for alleged sexual harassment of two female players.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Standard |first=The |title=Football coach arrested for indecently assaulting two female players |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/193739/Football-coach-arrested-for-indecently-assaulting-two-female-players |access-date=2022-08-21 |website=The Standard |language=en |archive-date=2022-08-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821142714/https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/193739/Football-coach-arrested-for-indecently-assaulting-two-female-players |url-status=live }}</ref> The association received a report from one of the victims but declined to intervene as the coach was no longer a staff member, stating "We feel there is no authority to intervene in the case after careful consideration since the case did not involve the association's current staff or took place at an association-sponsored event."<ref name=":2" />

In May 2023, the [[Independent Commission Against Corruption (Hong Kong)|Independent Commission Against Corruption]] (ICAC) arrested 23 people suspected of match fixing in lower divisions, including 1 coach and 11 players. Pui Kwan Kay, then-chairman of the HKFA, said that the scandal "would not have much effect on the holistic development of Hong Kong football" and that match fixing "is relatively hard to regulate."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chair of football assoc. says hard to regulate 'lower-tier' matches following match fixing scandal - Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2023/05/18/chair-of-football-assoc-says-hard-to-regulate-lower-tier-matches-following-match-mixing-scandal/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |work=Hong Kong Free Press |date=17 May 2023 |language=en-GB |archive-date=2023-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914060441/https://hongkongfp.com/2023/05/18/chair-of-football-assoc-says-hard-to-regulate-lower-tier-matches-following-match-mixing-scandal/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2024, the ex-head coach of Hong Kong football team, [[Jørn Andersen]], said that HKFA 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=":3">{{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=":3" />

== Renaming ==
After the [[handover of Hong Kong]] in 1997, the HKFA has used the founding name - the "Hong Kong Football Association" until 2023.

In early 2023, the HKFA and other Hong Kong national sports associations were required by the [[Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China]], to add "China" to the name of the association.<ref>{{cite news|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|title=Hong Kong sports associations told to put 'China' into names, or lose government funding and right to represent city|date=9 Jan 2023|access-date=9 Jan 2023|author=Chan Kin-wa|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|archive-date=9 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109105147/https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3206135/hong-kong-sports-associations-told-put-china-names-or-lose-government-funding-and-right-represent|url-status=live}}</ref> As the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China warned to withhold government funding of HKFA, the HKFA eventually adopted the name change to "The Football Association of Hong Kong, China" during the annual meeting of the HKFA in March 2023.

In February 2024, the HKFA withdrew their esports team from AFC eAsian Cup 2023 because the AFC and KONAMI did not use "Hong Kong, China" instead of "Hong Kong" in the display name for the team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ho |first=Kelly |date=2024-02-02 |title=Hong Kong withdraws from esports competition over team name |url=http://hongkongfp.com/2024/02/02/hong-kong-withdraws-from-esports-competition-after-gaming-programme-omits-china-from-name-of-team/ |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Funding ==
In terms of government funding, the HKFA has been one of the top receivers of taxpayer money out of all National Sports Associations in Hong Kong.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Subvention to National Sports Associations|url=https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/forms/nsa_financial.pdf|journal=Hong Kong LCSD|access-date=2021-07-19|archive-date=2021-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719051601/https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/forms/nsa_financial.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=Replies to initial written questions raised by Finance Committee Members in examining the Estimates of Expenditure 2021-22|url=https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr20-21/english/fc/fc/w_q/hab-e.pdf|journal=LegCo Home Affairs Bureau|access-date=2021-07-19|archive-date=2021-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719051602/https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr20-21/english/fc/fc/w_q/hab-e.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Excluding one-time grants, it receives money from the Sports Subvention Scheme (SSS) and the Arts and Sport Development Fund (ASDF).
{| class="wikitable"
|+Primary sources of government funding ($HKD); does not include all funding sources
!Year
!2018–19
!2019–20
!2020–21
!2021–22
|-
|Sports Subvention Scheme
|$19,852,000
|$20,894,000
|$20,255,250
|$18,471,564
|-
|Arts and Sport Development Fund
|$25,400,000
|$32,996,120 
|$33,900,000
|
|-
|Total (approximate)
|$45.25 M 
|$53.89 M
|$54.16 M
|
|}

== Staff ==

{| class="wikitable"
!Name
!Position
!Source
|-
|{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} Pui Kwan Kay
|President
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} Eric Fok
|Chairman
|<ref name="fifa.com">[https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142244/https://www.fifa.com/associations/association/hkg/about FIFA.com]</ref><ref name="the-afc.com">{{Cite web|title=The AFC.com - The Asian Football Confederation|url=https://www.the-afc.com/afc-home/member-associations/hong-kong/the-hong-kong-football-association-ltd/|access-date=2020-09-06|website=The AFC|language=en-GB|archive-date=2021-07-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731204413/https://www.the-afc.com/afc-home/member-associations/hong-kong/the-hong-kong-football-association-ltd/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} Matthew Wong<br>{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} Casper Tsui
|Vice-chairman
|<ref name="fifa.com" /><ref name="the-afc.com" />
|-
|{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} Charles Cheung
|General Secretary
|<ref name="fifa.com" /><ref name="the-afc.com" />
|-
|{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} Sin Yat Kin
|Treasurer
|<ref name="fifa.com" />
|-
|{{flagicon|England}} John Morling
|Technical Director
|<ref name="fifa.com" /><ref name="the-afc.com" />
|-
|{{flagicon|England}} [[Ashley Westwood (footballer, born 1976)|Ashley Westwood]]
|Team Coach (Men's)
|<ref name="fifa.com" /><ref name="the-afc.com" />
|-
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[José Ricardo Rambo|Ricardo]]
|Team Coach (Women's)
|<ref name="fifa.com" /><ref name="the-afc.com" />
|-
|''Vacant''
|Media/Communications Manager
|<ref name="fifa.com" />
|-
|{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} [[Tsang Wai Chung]]
|Futsal Coordinator
|<ref name="fifa.com" />
|}

=== List of previous chairmen ===

* Wong Kar-kui (1940–1950)
* Jack Skinner (1950–1954)
* C.S. Wong (1954–1960)
* Mok Hing (1960–1964)
* Norman Fraser (1964–1965)
* Mok Hing (1965–1966); second term
* Victor Hui (1996–1999)
* Martin Hong (1999–2007)
* Brian Leung (2007–2019)
* Pui Kwan Kay (2019–2023)

=== List of previous CEOs ===

# Gordon McKie (2011–2012)
# Mark Sutcliffe (2012–2018)
# Paul Woodland (2018–2020)
# Joaquin Tam Chau Long (2021-2024)

=== List of previous presidents ===

* [[Henry Fok]] (1970–1997)
* [[Timothy Fok]] (1997–2023)

== See also ==
* [[Hong Kong national football team]]
* [[Hong Kong Premier League]]
* [[Hong Kong FA Cup]]
* [[Hong Kong Senior Shield]]
* [[Hong Kong League Cup]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.hkfa.com}}
* [https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/HKG Hong Kong] at FIFA site
* [https://www.the-afc.com/en/east/hong_kong.html  Hong Kong] at AFC site

{{Football in Hong Kong}}
{{AFC associations}}
{{EAFF football}}
{{Sports governing bodies in Hong Kong}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hong Kong Football Association}}
[[Category:Football in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:National members of the East Asian Football Federation|Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Sports governing bodies in Hong Kong|Football]]
[[Category:Sports organizations established in 1914]]
[[Category:1914 establishments in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Association football governing bodies in Asia|Hong Kong]]