“HKFA provides a platform for young football players to excel and help them reach their potential. We share the same vision and mission with The Hong Kong Jockey Club as they always aim to promote sports and youth development at elite levels, and this is the purpose behind the JC Sapling Cup,” Chairman of The Football Association of Hong Kong, China, Mr. PUI Kwan Kay expressed at the press conference. “I am glad to see the participation of many talented U22 players in the JC Sapling Cup this season. I wish they can take this opportunity to learn and develop to be a successful professional player.”

Mr. Florian JUNGBAUER, Head of Brand & Digital Marketing Channels of The Hong Kong Jockey Club also spoke at the press conference. “The Hong Kong Jockey Club strongly believes in the benefits that football, like all sports, brings to our young people. The JC Sapling Cup sponsorship is innovative and meaningful that benefits not only football but the community as a whole.  It recognises the performances of the ten Premier League clubs and the best performing young players. What’s more, the finalists have each nominated a charitable organisation to receive a cash donation as part of the Club’s sponsorship, while young journalists of our JC Junior Sports Reporters Programme have already produced live webcasts of matches earlier and are preparing for the Final, bringing this exciting match online to a wider audience.”

Best U22 Player is an award that is specifically given to the young player from each club who is adjudged to have been the best performing U22 player in the JC Sapling Cup competition. Winners will be presented with a trophy and prize money of HK$3,000. Registered staff members and players from each team have all voted their best U22 player to honour their top performance on the field during the competition, and here are the players who are named the Best U22 Player –

BC Rangers	LO Siu Kei	Kwoon Chung Southern	NG Wai Him
Eastern	CHUNG Hoi Man	Lee Man	LAW Cheuk Hei
HKFC	CHOW Timothy Stephen	RCFC	YIP Cheuk Man
HK U23	CHAN Yun Tung	Sham Shui Po	TAI Ting Hong
Kitchee	YUEN Chun Him	Wofoo Tai Po	KWOK Chun Nok

HKFA will also invite media representatives to select the “U22 Star of the Stars” player among the 10 awardees on the final matchday. A trophy and prize money of HK$5,000 will be presented to the  winner.

The prize money for the JC Sapling Cup champion is HK$120,000, whereas the runner-up will receive HK$60,000. Ricky CHENG and TSANG Chiu Tat, Head Coaches from both teams, spoke on their preparation and expectations for the final at the press conference today. Kwoon Chung Southern and Lee Man also nominated Southern District Recreation and Sports Association Limited and the Hong Kong Single Parents Association to be their respective beneficiary for donations from HKJC (organisation selected by the champion – HK$100,000; organisation selected by the runner-up – HK$50,00), giving back to the community for a good cause.

We look forward to an exciting cup final and hope that all U22 players will have a great game.