Sports governance
Regular readers of this journal will be well aware that our Institute has been diversifying its training, research and advocacy work in recent years. This month’s journal updates us on the latest developments in this trend – the launch of several initiatives designed to enhance governance standards in the sports sector.
The first of these initiatives got underway on 28 August this year when the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), in conjunction with The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee (SF&OC) of Hong Kong, China and our Institute, launched the new Sports Governance and Integrity Alliance.
This Alliance brings together an impressive combination of expertise and resources. As the principal standard-setter and supervisor of the local sports scene, the SF&OC brings to the Alliance a valuable understanding of the challenges facing governance reform in this sector. Its Corporate Governance Review Report, published in late 2024, highlights a number of weaknesses in the governance practices of local national sports associations (NSAs). It simultaneously released its Code of Governance and has since been conducting workshops to help its member NSAs implement the Code.
The ICAC and HKJC have increased their focus on building governance capacity in the sports sector in recent years. Last year, for example, the ICAC published its Integrity and Corruption Prevention Guide for NSAs, which outlines the key principles and standards for good governance and internal control in the sports sector. Moreover, this year, HKJC has partnered with the Institute to set up the Jockey Club HKCGI Sports Governance Programme, which will lead to the launch of our Sports Governance Certification Course in the first quarter of 2026.
As a best-in-class governance educator in Hong Kong, our Institute brings to this Alliance valuable expertise in developing targeted and accessible training. Our Sports Governance Certification Course will comprise an 18-hour professional training course offering free governance training for NSA members. Supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute Foundation Ltd, this course builds on our experience of running similar accredited certification courses – namely the ESG Reporting Certification Course launched in February 2023 and the AML/CFT Certification Course launched in March 2024.
In addition to our new Director Training Package and our regular ECPD seminars and conferences, our accredited certification courses have helped us hone our longterm strategies in professional development. Rest assured, therefore, that our Sports Governance Certification Course will only be the beginning of our efforts to enhance governance professionalism in the sports sector in Hong Kong. We intend to use the course as a stepping stone to a networking platform along the lines of the Institute’s Sustainability Governance Academy launched in July 2024. Like its precursor, our Sports Governance Academy will be designed as a hub for learning resources, workshops and sharing best practice, as well as being a professional sports governance community forum.
With that, I leave you to the first edition of this journal dedicated to sports governance. I am sure we will be hearing more about sports governance in future editions as our Institute continues to play its part in helping to position Hong Kong as a centre of sporting excellence.
