Hong Kong Athlete Salary Breakdown: How Much Do They Earn?

August 24, 2024

Hong Kong athletes recently made history at the Paris Olympics, bringing home accolades and earning praise from Chief Executive John Lee. However, their success on the international stage has also sparked discussions about their income and the sustainability of the city’s sports talent pipeline.

Professional athletes training at the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) receive a monthly subsidy in addition to meals, accommodation, and other non-financial support for training programs, coaching, sport science, and medical assistance. The amount of the subsidy given to a full-time athlete eligible for the government’s Elite Training Grant (ETG) ranges from HK$7,130 to HK$44,500 per month, depending on their performance in international competitions.

Fencer Ryan Choi, known for his performance at the Tokyo Games, recently shared a breakdown of the yearly expenses of an athlete living on the lowest monthly grant on social media. According to Choi, after factoring in the costs of participating in overseas competitions required to receive the grant, an athlete earning the lowest subsidy would have just HK$30,260 a year, assuming they spent no money eating out.

As athletes continue to discuss their income, Tony Choi, the CEO of the HKSI, announced a review of the funding schemes for top athletes with the aim of implementing a revamped system by the following April.

How much do Hong Kong athletes earn?

While Olympic medallists like fencers Vivian Kong and Edgar Cheung, and swimmer Siobhan Haughey receive HK$44,500 per month, most professional athletes in the city earn less than that. Athletes competing in Tier A sports receive the ETG from the HKSI, covering 20 sports including athletics, badminton, fencing, swimming, and table tennis, as well as sports featured in the Asian Games like squash and wushu. Athletes in an additional nine sports, including football and e-sports, are entitled to the ETG through the Individual Athletes Support Scheme.

Para-athletes competing in sports featured in the Paralympic Games or Asian Para Games receive smaller monthly training grants. As Hong Kong prepares to send 23 para-athletes to compete in the Paralympics in Paris, the size of an athlete’s grant is determined by their performance in international competitions.

The entry-level grant of HK$7,130 is given to athletes in the “senior squad” who place in the top two-thirds at international senior competitions. Part-time athletes receive approximately a third of the grant given to full-time athletes. While the HKSI does not provide a breakdown of the number of athletes in each ETG category, the government has allocated HK$268 million to fund 1,225 Tier A sports athletes this year.

Additionally, medal-winning athletes in the Paris Games are rewarded through the Hong Kong Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme, with gold medallists in the Olympics and Paralympics receiving HK$6 million and HK$1.5 million, respectively. Silver and bronze medallists receive varying amounts based on their performance.

Income or ‘pocket money’?

While the ETG serves as the primary source of income for Hong Kong athletes, a senior sports official described the monthly subsidy as “pocket money” considering the non-financial support provided by the HKSI. Edgar Yang, the honorary secretary general of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee, emphasized the significant investment made in athletes through coaching, medical care, and accommodation.

Yang’s remarks prompted current and former athletes to share their experiences with the financial challenges they face on the lowest grants. Badminton player Lee Cheuk-yiu highlighted the struggles of young and talented players forced to give up on a professional career due to low income. Fencer Cedric Ho discussed the financial constraints he faced when choosing overseas competitions, while former triathlete Leanne Szeto shared the difficulties of managing expenses on a limited monthly grant.

As athletes continue to navigate the financial realities of pursuing a professional career in sports, the discussions around income and support for Hong Kong athletes are vital for the development and sustainability of the city’s sports talent pipeline.

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