2014-09-29
The newly-launched BOCG Life Hong Kong Premier League has brought in a lot of new elements to Hong Kong football.
The newly-launched BOCG Life Hong Kong Premier League has brought in a lot of new elements to Hong Kong football. Increased prize-money for the new Premier League, new television broadcasting contract to a wider audience, preseason seminars for the players, innovative marketing campaigns and a new-and-improved online fantasy league are just a few things that The Football Association of Hong Kong, China has put together for the new season.
Although it might take some time for the Hong Kong Premier League to be deemed as an ultimate success, and it will take unyielding support from the local football fans to do so, quite a number of players and coaches in the top-flight seem to have brought into the idea of the Hong Kong Premier League project.
Sun Pegasus Head Coach Rambo Ricardo, who has both played and coached in Hong Kong football for an extensive period, believes the new sponsorship and prize-money is a positive step for Hong Kong football. “I think this is definitely a positive development for Hong Kong football to receive support and sponsorship from a sizeable firm such as the BOCG,” the Hong Kong-lifer commented. “Footballers are never strictly motivated by money but with the newly-announced prize-money, this will give the players an added incentive to compete.”
I-Sky Yuen Long defender Chiu Chun-kit, who has been well-established in the top-flight for many seasons, gives the new television broadcast deal a big thumbs-up. “For me personally, I think it will take some time before we know whether the Hong Kong Premier League is truly a success. However, I do like the new television deal that the HKFA has set up with ATV. The bottom line is the general public now has the opportunity to get exposed to the Hong Kong Premier League through a virtually free television network,” Chiu commented. “It is a platform that has the potential to reach a wider audience in Hong Kong and even Guangdong of China, which should help boost the profile of the local game, the teams, the players and even the associated sponsors.”
Wong Tai Sin’s veteran goalkeeper, Cheung Wai-hong, who has been a professional in Hong Kong football for nearly a decade, is especially impressed by the preseason seminar that the HKFA has organized. “I think the seminar was a good opportunity for us to get to know the HKPL in a much better sense,” Cheung said. “I was really interested in the part where they spoke about assisting players on locating suitable job opportunities when they have hung up their boots. Prior to this, we as players really do not have much of an option once we stop playing but now, at least we seem to have a few directions to head to.”
Although it might take some time for the Hong Kong Premier League to be deemed as an ultimate success, and it will take unyielding support from the local football fans to do so, quite a number of players and coaches in the top-flight seem to have brought into the idea of the Hong Kong Premier League project.
Sun Pegasus Head Coach Rambo Ricardo, who has both played and coached in Hong Kong football for an extensive period, believes the new sponsorship and prize-money is a positive step for Hong Kong football. “I think this is definitely a positive development for Hong Kong football to receive support and sponsorship from a sizeable firm such as the BOCG,” the Hong Kong-lifer commented. “Footballers are never strictly motivated by money but with the newly-announced prize-money, this will give the players an added incentive to compete.”
I-Sky Yuen Long defender Chiu Chun-kit, who has been well-established in the top-flight for many seasons, gives the new television broadcast deal a big thumbs-up. “For me personally, I think it will take some time before we know whether the Hong Kong Premier League is truly a success. However, I do like the new television deal that the HKFA has set up with ATV. The bottom line is the general public now has the opportunity to get exposed to the Hong Kong Premier League through a virtually free television network,” Chiu commented. “It is a platform that has the potential to reach a wider audience in Hong Kong and even Guangdong of China, which should help boost the profile of the local game, the teams, the players and even the associated sponsors.”
Wong Tai Sin’s veteran goalkeeper, Cheung Wai-hong, who has been a professional in Hong Kong football for nearly a decade, is especially impressed by the preseason seminar that the HKFA has organized. “I think the seminar was a good opportunity for us to get to know the HKPL in a much better sense,” Cheung said. “I was really interested in the part where they spoke about assisting players on locating suitable job opportunities when they have hung up their boots. Prior to this, we as players really do not have much of an option once we stop playing but now, at least we seem to have a few directions to head to.”