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