Jockey Club to provide technical support for the equestrian events of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (“the Club”) was pleased to announce on 10 May the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Organising Committee (“HAGOC”) under which the Club will provide technical support for the equestrian events of the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games.

Standing Committee Member, CPC Hangzhou Municipal Committee and Executive Deputy Mayor, Hangzhou Municipal Government, Chen Jin; HAGOC Commander of Equestrian Events and Hangzhou Municipal Government Party Member Wang Hong; HAGOC Operation Commander of Equestrian Events and Deputy Commissioner & Party Committee Member of Hangzhou Customs Wang Jipeng; HAGOC Deputy Secretary-General & Office Director and Deputy Secretary-General, Hangzhou Municipal Government, Mao Genhong; Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai, Government of the HKSAR, Laura Aron; Director of the Zhejiang Liaison Unit, Government of the HKSAR, Terence Lau; the Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and other guests attended the signing ceremony.

Standing Committee Member, CPC Hangzhou Municipal Committee and Executive Deputy Mayor, Hangzhou Municipal Government, Chen Jin said in her speech that the equestrian events of the forthcoming Hangzhou Asian Games had attracted significant attention both domestically and internationally and all sectors of society were eagerly anticipating them. She thanked The Hong Kong Jockey Club for its strong support for the preparation work, saying that the signing of the MOU marked a new stage of cooperation, with a closer, more comprehensive and more systematic collaboration. She sincerely hoped the Club would fully leverage its unique strengths and advanced experience to provide more technical support in various areas, such as biosecurity, venue operations, personnel training, and international engagement, to assist Hangzhou in staging safe and spectacular equestrian events at the Hangzhou Asian Games.

The Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said the Club was very honoured to be invited by the HAGOC and the Hangzhou Municipal Government to provide technical support for the equestrian events of the Hangzhou Asian Games, “The Club is one of the largest equine organisations in the world and dedicated to just one purpose - the betterment of our society. With our globally acknowledged expertise and experience as well as the advantages of “One Country Two Systems”, the Club has long contributed to equine sports and related industries in the Mainland to help achieve the vision outlined in the Central Government’s National Equine Industry Development Plan and to create economic and social value,” Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said. “The Hangzhou Asian Games is undoubtedly one of the most important international sporting events in China. We will join hands with our colleagues in the Tonglu Equestrian Centre to put on the best equestrian events possible.”

According to the MOU, the Club would provide support for six functional areas:

1. Biosecurity – Provide advice on the protocols necessary to maintain the equine disease free zone and biosecurity control of the equestrian events; inspect the HAGOC’s quarantine facilities and provide recommendations
2. Horse transportation – Review and advise the HAGOC on the relevant procedures, facilities and service providers to enable the safe transportation of horses compatible with international standards
3. Stable management – Inspect the HAGOC’s stables and provide recommendations; assign a team to provide on-site support for stable management
4. Veterinary and farriery services – Form a veterinary and farrier services team to provide necessary clinical services; inspect the on-site veterinary facilities and provide recommendations for veterinary services
5. Venue operations – Inspect venue facilities, devices and equipment and provide recommendations
6. International stakeholder engagement – Provide advice and support for engagement with international stakeholders

To facilitate the successful organisation, operation and management of the equestrian events, the Club would also provide general support for the HAGOC with respect to personnel, equipment and training of equestrian event-related staff as well as Hangzhou Asian Games Hong Kong volunteers and stakeholders.

Before the signing ceremony, the Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges led a delegation from the Club to visit Hangzhou on 9 - 10 May, during which they met Zhejiang and Hangzhou government officials. The group made a courtesy call on Zhejiang Vice Governor and HAGOC Vice President Zhang Jiasheng; and HAGOC Vice President & Secretary-General and Hangzhou Municipal Government Mayor Yao Gaoyuan. They also visited the Tonglu Equestrian Centre, main venue for the equestrian events of the Hangzhou Asian Games, and the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre and Asian Games Village, the visit being led by HAGOC Commander of Equestrian Events and Hangzhou Municipal Government Party Member Wang Hong and other government officials.

In addition, the Club is pleased to support the Hangzhou Asian Games Hong Kong Volunteer Scheme, which provides opportunities for Hong Kong’s young people to be part of the event volunteer service of the Games and to contribute personally to its success. A training session for Hong Kong’s pre-selected event volunteers was held at the Club’s Tuen Mun Public Riding School on 29 April. Around 60 volunteers from the Hong Kong Island Women's Association and the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups joined the training. Under the guidance of the Club’s equestrian professionals, the pre-selected event volunteers visited the stables where they learned about equestrian sport and the Club’s technical support for the equestrian events in Hangzhou. They were also given insights into horse behaviour and were able to touch and feel the Club’s miniature ponies.

The Club has long contributed to equine sports in the Mainland. The Club supported the equestrian events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games. Through the international-standard racecourse at Conghua in Guangzhou, the Club also supports the development of the equine industry both nationwide and within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2021/22, the Club returned a total of HK$33.6 billion to the community. This included HK$27.0 billion to the Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$6.6 billion in approved charity donations. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.