HKU SPACE is pleased to announce that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 6 May 2022 with Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) in order to foster collaboration in developing football-related academic programmes and promoting football activities, which marks a new breakthrough in the development of football and sports education in Hong Kong. Football is the most popular mass sport in the world, and Hong Kong is not an exception. The MOU was signed by Professor William K. M. Lee, Director of HKU SPACE and Mr Tam Chau Long, Joaquin, the Chief Executive Officer of HKFA.

This agreement enables HKU SPACE and HKFA to work together across different areas. The agreement will support the Government’s promotion of the development of sports as a career, a profession, and an industry to provide current and retired athletes as well as young people with job and development opportunities. HKU SPACE signed a MOU on 6 May 2022 with HKFA. Additionally, the MOU will foster development and operation of training programmes in sports coaching, sports management, sports and nutrition, and others that benefit the footballers of HKFA; and also cover development and operation of regular short courses for primary and secondary school students and parents to promote their interests in football and broaden their multidisciplinary perspectives on football in Hong Kong.

Speaking at the Signing Ceremony, Professor William K.M. Lee, Director of HKU SPACE, said, “HKU SPACE is the leading provider of lifelong learning opportunities for personal development, academic progression and professional and career advancement. Given that football is one of the most popular sports in Hong Kong, and considering the long history of HKFA, HKU SPACE has a great honour to forge closer cooperation with the HKFA so that we both together open a new historical page in the co-development of education and football for current and retired players, football managers and administrators, students and parents of Hong Kong.”

Mr Tam Chau Long, Joaquin, the CEO of HKFA, said, “we are grateful for the collaboration with HKU SPACE on developing sports-related training programmes that will not only benefit athletes and the football community in particular, but also increase public awareness on the many career opportunities available in the sports industry. HKFA will also provide internship opportunities for HKU SPACE students so that they may get some hands-on experience in football management and discover where their passion lies. We hope this would provide a more structural career development planning for our young players and the future pillars of the football community.”

HKFA has a mission to enhance the Hong Kong Football development and to achieve the highest possible standards of football at all levels. And it targets to promote local football activities and motivating people to become involved in football playing, coaching, officiating, watching and administrating; and also promoting grassroots training and pay attention on the youth training in the district football development.