Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui on Sunday said the system would be made “more focused”, and confirmed the earlier revelation by sources that a “one size fits all” approach would be replaced by a multilayered funding structure.
Review criteria are to be adjusted so that large-scale events with greater contributions to Hong Kong’s economy and tourism receive higher scores and corresponding funding.
“[We] understand the public’s expectation for effective use of public funds,” Law said. “That’s why the new round [of the funds] will be more strategic, effective and precise in allocating resources to support high-quality mega sporting events with high economic value.”
Law said funding for each approved event would range from HK$6 million to HK$15 million.
“We will consider the effectiveness of an event in promoting tourism and boosting the local economy when reviewing applications,” she said, adding that the monitoring mechanism would also be strengthened.
