Hong Kong stalwart Philip Chan tips football in city to thrive after Nike deal
Hong Kong midfielder Philip Chan Siu-kwan has said the local association's new 10-year partnership with Nike could ultimately help propel the city team into the top bracket of Asian football.
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On Thursday, the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) announced a 'significantly improved' agreement with the sportswear firm, although the two parties refused to reveal the financial terms of the deal.
According to Eric Fok Kai-shan, the HKFA chairman, a proportion of the Nike cash will be used to strengthen youth development programmes. Another tranche of money will be diverted towards the newly established local under-22 league.
Twelve months after telling the Post that players were 'all waiting for the day when the
Hong Kong football ecosystem is healthier ', Chan said the Nike partnership renewal had laid the foundation for the next generation of Hong Kong players.
'This will impact the ecosystem and it is not the only thing HKFA are now doing to try to push our football to another level,' added Chan, 32, the reigning Hong Kong footballer of the year.
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'I have been critical about the lack of engagement from the government … the guys who make the biggest decisions in Hong Kong are not throwing resources at us. But [HKFA officials] have not been waiting for money to fall from the sky … they have been proactive in finding sponsors and getting more help.
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