The Government provides resources to the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI), the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee (HKPC), schools and sports organisations to support retired athletes in their education and career transformation:
(a) Financial Subsidy
(b) Career Development and Education Support
(c) Personal Development Support
Elite Athletes Performance Recognition Scheme
Since 2015, the HKSI has launched the Elite Athletes Performance Recognition Scheme to provide one-off cash grants to eligible retired full-time athletes, with a maximum amount of over $1,000,000, to strengthen support towards their pursuit of a second career after retirement.
(b) Career Development and Education Support
Retired Athletes Transformation Programme
Since 2018, we have launched the Retired Athletes Transformation Programme to subsidise eligible schools and “national sports associations” to employ retired athletes to help promote sports, as well as identify and nurture potential sports talents. Participating retired athletes who are studying at tertiary institutions may receive a maximum subsidy of $40,000 in the form of reimbursement, as well as up to $2,000 per year for short-term certificate courses.
The Para Athletes Career and Education Programme
We launched, in collaboration with the HKPC, a five-year pilot programme on career and education for athletes with disabilities in June 2023 to equip them with knowledge, skill sets and career planning skills, so as to facilitate their integration into society and post-athletic transformation for their second-career development.
Sports Legacy Scheme
The Hong Kong Athletes Career and Education Department (HKACED) of the SF&OC has launched the Sports Legacy Scheme since 2012. Athletes of various sports who have been retired or are planning to retire are hired as coaches in schools to identify and nurture potential student athletes, promote the spirit of Olympism, and develop perseverance, virtues and fitness in students.
Elite Coaching Apprenticeship Programme
The HKSI provides pre-retirement elite athletes who aim to become coaches with tailored apprenticeship experience. Athletes would receive monthly allowances during the apprenticeship while gaining relevant work experience.
Hong Kong Athletes Fund
Retired athletes may apply for education grants under the Hong Kong Athletes Fund within two years of retirement from sports.
Other Support from the SF&OC and the HKSI
The SF&OC supports retired athletes through HKACED by providing counselling, scholarships, life skills training, language courses and job matching.
The HKSI also collaborates with Beijing Sport University to offer the Bachelor of Education Programme in Sports Training (Part-time) in Hong Kong.
(c) Personal Development Support
Ambassador Programme
The HKACED has launched the Ambassador Programme since 2009. Athletes who have been retired or are planning to retire will visit various organisations to share their personal stories in their sports career at seminars, so as to take up social responsibilities to inject positive energy to the community.
"Stars to Shine" Mentorship Programme
The HKACED has launched the "Stars to Shine" Mentorship Programme since 2018 to foster close mentor-mentee relationship between renowned retired athletes and newly retired athletes, providing valuable opportunities for newly retired athletes to learn from and exchange with their mentors, and to assist newly retired athletes in adapting to their post-sports career transitions with the aim of developing their second career.
Other Support from the SF&OC and the HKSI
Through the HKACED, the SF&OC supports retired athletes by providing courses on life skills training, such as communication and public speaking skills, event planning, decision analysis etc. The HKSI provides athletes and athletes who are planning to retire with educational and career development support, including educational counselling, academic advising and support, education subsidies, life skills and vocational training, sports exchange, coaching apprenticeship programmes etc. through the Athlete Education and Personal Development Support Programmes.