The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Yao Foundation to expand cooperation in basketball promotion and youth sports development.
The agreement was formalized on December 7 at the HKJC's Sha Tin Clubhouse during a ceremony attended by Yao Foundation Chairman Yao Ming and HKJC Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.
The Club said the partnership supports the national objective of strengthening China's sports industry and building a sports powerhouse. Under the MoU, the two organizations will develop joint initiatives, community programs and exchange activities aimed at enhancing basketball accessibility and improving opportunities for young athletes.
Engelbrecht-Bresges said the Club believes strongly in the transformative impact of sport. He noted that basketball is one of Hong Kong's most popular team sports and a cornerstone of the Club's long-term sports development strategy. He added that the shared mission between the Club and the Yao Foundation will help promote physical and mental well-being among young people while enhancing social cohesion.
Yao said the Yao Foundation follows the principle of "educating through sports" and remains committed to fostering youth development. He emphasized that the two organizations are closely aligned in their goals and expressed confidence that the collaboration will expand opportunities for young people to experience the benefits of sport while encouraging all-round growth.
HKJC said the agreement reflects its broader commitment to national and local sports development. The Club has pledged HK$3bn over the next three years to strengthen sports programs at both the elite and community levels.
Its charitable support includes more than HK$70m toward the Believe & Bounce Basketball Programme, which aims to increase basketball participation among students and underprivileged groups.
Additional initiatives supported by the Club include youth empowerment programs delivered with local universities and sports associations, as well as facility upgrades at Southorn Stadium to host more high-level and international basketball events.
The Club has already committed over HK$70m to its Believe & Bounce Basketball Programme
