Jockey Club HKFA Football Training Centre

Jockey Club HKFA Football Training Centre (Abbreviated as FTC, Chinese: 賽馬會香港足球總會足球訓練中心) is a football training centre at Tseung Kwan O, New Territories, Hong Kong which was built in August 2019

Jockey Club HKFA Football Training Centre
Location
Tseung Kwan O
,
New Territories
,
Hong Kong
Coordinates22°17′53″N 114°16′05″E

In 2002, the Hong Kong Football Association announced a plan to build a National Football Training Centre at a closed landfill in Tseung Kwan O. It was going to be the first of its kind in Hong Kong and expected to be completed by 2008 with a $103-million grant from the Hong Kong Jockey Club.[1] But it never got off the ground.

In 2012, under new Chief Executive Officer Mark Sutcliffe and Project Phoenix, the HKFA have recognized the importance of the centre and it is discussing sponsorship with the Hong Kong Jockey Club to finance the centre's construction.[2] The HKFA will work with the Government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club to develop the business plan and site master plan for this much needed facility. Mark Sutcliffe hopes that the work done in 2013 will enable a start on construction in early 2014.[3]

On 17 November 2015, Mark Sutcliffe said HK$133 million in funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club has been agreed for the construction, which is due to start in 2016. A consultant company will be appointed to oversee the construction project which will see three natural turf pitches and three artificial turf pitches to be built on the landfill site. The government has also released the land which was previously held under the Restored Landfill Revitalisation Funding Scheme.[4]

On 15 December 2016, HKFA CEO Mark Sutcliffe announced to the media that initial work for construction of facility has recently started and should be ready in July 2017.[5]

Local contractor Projexasia was awarded the construction contract in late 2016.

The landmark training centre, under construction

Facilities

The centre will be built with 3 natural grass and artificial turf pitches each. There will also be futsal facilities, administrative offices, classrooms, gymnasiums and changing rooms. It will become the main training ground for the Hong Kong national football team and youth teams. Local clubs and the community will also have a chance to use the centre.[6] HKFA also agreed to open artificial turf pitches to the public at free period with a lower maintenance cost.From March 2019 the Artificial football pitches will be open for public bookings.

References
  1. "Chief Executive visits Tseung Kwan O (with photos)". Information Services, Hong Kong Government. 23 May 2006.
  2. "Tackling the football crisis". Time Out Hong Kong. 24 September 2012.
  3. Mark Sutcliffe (13 January 2013). "2013 Heralds a Brighter Future for Football in Hong Kong". HKFA CEO's blog.
  4. Chan Kin-wa (17 November 2015). "Tseung Kwan O soccer facility receives HK$133 million funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club". South China Morning Post.
  5. Chan Kin-wa (16 December 2016). "Finally, preparation work is under way for the first dedicated training centre for Hong Kong soccer". South China Morning Post.
  6. "Hong Kong To Gain First Football Training Center, Followed By Professional League". Sports Business Daily. 13 August 2012.

External websites
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