Govt to upgrade dozens of football pitches

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  • 2021-02-24 HKT 13:58″ title=”Paul Chan said more than 70 existing public football pitches would be upgrade over the next five years, including converting some to host five-a-side matches. Image: Shutterstock”>


    Paul Chan said more than 70 existing public football pitches would be upgrade over the next five years, including converting some to host five-a-side matches. Image: Shutterstock
    Paul Chan said more than 70 existing public football pitches would be upgrade over the next five years, including converting some to host five-a-side matches. Image: Shutterstock

The government on Wednesday announced a HK$318 million drive to upgrade Hong Kong’s football pitches to encourage more people to play the sport.

The money would be spent over the coming five years, with authorities looking for a “substantial increase” in the number of smaller five-a-side football pitches that meet international standards.

The Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, said in his budget that the government would also consider upgrading a number of existing venues into full-sized 11-a-side pitches, and speed up the replacement of artificial turf.

“The public, and young people in particular, will have more opportunities to play football regularly and develop their potential,” Chan said.

The upgraded facilities would, Chan said, allow various groups, from national sports associations to district-level organisations and schools, to enjoy more up-to-standard football pitches for matches and training programmes in future.

He also noted that the Kai Tak Sports Park, scheduled for completion in 2023, will add two new stadiums to host football matches, while 12 other pitches are being constructed or rebuilt.