A major football competition in Hong Kong has rejected a school’s appeal to accept its late enrolment, despite an emotional plea from the institution’s principal, with the organiser citing a need to keep the contest fair.
The principal of Ma On Shan’s Yan Chai Hospital Tung Chi Ying Memorial Secondary School, famous long-time annual contest champions, earlier appealed for discretionary consideration and said this year’s sign-up deadline had been missed due to “management negligence”.
The Schools Sports Federation of Hong Kong, China said on Saturday that it had held a special meeting the day before to discuss whether to accept the school’s late submission, inviting the principal and physical education head from the latter to explain the matter.
“After our discussion and taking reference from similar cases in the past, it was unanimously decided that the late enrolment of [the school] will not be accepted,” it said.
“The federation, as the organiser, has to take into account all member schools and make comprehensive consideration. At the same time, the fairness of the competition system has to be maintained.”
