Review on Direct Financial Support (DFS) Schemes
The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) has concluded its review of the Direct Financial Support (DFS) schemes and shall implement a series of enhancements with effect from 1 April 2025.
The enhancements include an upward adjustment by 8.3% to the grant levels across all DFS schemes, and revisions to the eligibility criteria and length of support period.
A summary of the revisions is below for your easy reference. The updated eligibility criteria and guidelines have likewise been made available on the HKSI website: (Link: Financial Support – Supporting the Athletes – Hong Kong Sports Institute).
Category / Level of Grant
Increase the grant levels of all ETGD and SAGD categories by 8.3%
2.
Introduce “Senior Squad” category under ETGD
(Monthly grant at $8,000 for full-time athletes and $2,840 for part-time athletes)
Eligibility Criteria
3.
Raise ETGD support category to Elite B for athletes achieving Paralympic Games
(PG) qualification
4.
Remove the “4 Countries” criterion for medals achieved in PG / Asian Para
Games (APG), i.e. for medals achieved in PG / APG, the criterion for a minimum
entry of 4 countries does not apply.
5.
For medals achieved in APG, the “Top 1/3” rule will be replaced by “Minus-one
rule”
6.
Remove the differentiation between IPC and Non-IPC World Championships
and World Cup (Finals)
Length of Support Period
7.
Extend the support period for ETGD full-time Elite B athletes to 4 years and Elite
C athletes to 2 years, and as a result, the support periods of various categories
of ETGD athletes are as follows:
ETGD Category
Support Period
Elite A+ / A (full-time) 4 years
Elite B (full-time)
Elite C (full-time) 2 years
All other categories
(full-time and part-time) 1 year