Jockey Club supports Strive and Rise Programme’s first Hangzhou study tour

In support of the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme, The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust has been pleased to donate HK$21 million. This has contributed to two student cohorts participating in the programme, helping them broaden theirhorizons,reinforce their self-confidence, develop a positive outlook on life and set goals for the future.

The Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Raymond Tam (second row, 8th left), the Club’s Head of External Affairs Freely Cheng (second row, 9th right), Club Assistant External Affairs Manager and 2024 Paris Olympic Games’ women's individual épée gold medallist Vivian Kong (second row, 9th left), the Club’s mentors and other participants at Hong Kong International Airport before departing to Hangzhou.

In addition, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is also funding the programme’s first Hangzhou five day study tour for over 80 students from the second cohort, enabling them to learn aboutHangzhou’s cultural heritage and technological development and enhancing their understanding and pride in the nation.

To welcome the students to Hangzhou, a dinner was held today (12 August), attended by theHKSAR Government Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki, Vice Mayor of Hangzhou Municipal Government Xu Weihua, the Club's Executive Director, Corporate Affairs Raymond Tam, and guests, including five Club mentors of the students.

HKSAR Government Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki (centre), Vice Mayor of Hangzhou Municipal Government Xu Weihua (2nd right), the Club's Executive Director,Corporate Affairs Raymond Tam (2nd left), the Club’s Head of External Affairs Freely Cheng (1st right), and Hong Kong Children & Youth Services Director Joyce Lee (1st left) attended the Strive and Rise Programme Hangzhou Study Tour welcome dinner.

The Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki thanked The Hong Kong Jockey Club for serving as Vice-chairperson of the Partners’ Board under the Strive and Rise Programme with great contributions and commitments made. They include the provision of funding support for programme implementation, the nomination of staff to be mentors, and the arrangement ofdistinctive group activities for mentees to broaden their horizons and enrich their knowledge.

Mr Chan added that Hong Kong athletes have shone through with outstanding performances atthe Hangzhou Asian Games last year and the Paris Olympic Games this year. He was pleased to learn that Olympic-gold medal-winning Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong has joined the Hangzhou study tour to share with mentees of the Strive and Rise Programme her stories of endeavours and success. He encouraged the mentees to learn the Hong Kong spirit – the “strive and-rise” and “never-give-up” spirit – of Hong Kong athletes and endeavour to achieve their goals. He expressed his confidence that they will give full play to their strengths and achieve their dreams.

HKSAR Government Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki (centre), the Club's Executive Director, Corporate Affairs Raymond Tam (right), and Club Assistant External Affairs Manager and 2024 Paris Olympic Games’ women's individual épée gold medallist Vivian Kong (left) share their insights on the spirit of sports with the students.

The Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Raymond Tam said Youth Development is one of the Club’s charity priority areas. Over the years, the Club has launched many initiatives to encourage young people to become active citizens and to make a difference in society. It has also sought to cultivate their sense of cultural identity and their pride in the nation. With the Strive and Rise Programme being one of the HKSAR Government’s key youth initiatives, the Club is pleased to participate and to have supported this worthy cause since its inception.

He also noted that the technology, culture and sports development in Hangzhou is unique. It istherefore an excellent opportunity for Hong Kong’s young people to experience Chinese civilization, as well as witness the rapid development of the country's innovation and technology. This is why the Club is so pleased to sponsor this Hangzhou study tour.

Talent performance by students at the Hangzhou Study Tour welcome dinner.

During their five-day visit to Hangzhou, the students will explore the world-renowned West Lake, tour top-tier high-tech companies, visit museums, and experience different cultural andeducational facilities. They will also visit the Hangzhou Asian Games Museum to gain a deeper insight into the behind-the-scenes preparation and support for the games. This includes the Club’s technical support for the equestrian events, for which it was recognised as an “Outstanding Contributor to the Hangzhou Asian Games" by the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee.

The first cohort of the Strive and Rise Programme was launched in 2022. Through tripartite collaboration with the HKSAR Government, the business sector and the community, the programme aims to help secondary school students set goals for the future and strive for upwardmobility.

Students visit the renowned West Lake in Hangzhou.

As with the first cohort, the Club will not only be providing financial support but will be encouraging its employees, former recipients of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships andfellow practitioners in the sector to become volunteer mentors for the second cohort. Studentparticipants will also be invited to visit the Club’s facilities, including Tai Kwun, The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course, the Equine Hospital and Tuen Mun Public Riding School.

The Club’s support for the Strive and Rise Programme, like all its charity donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for the community.

The annual Hong Kong Flower Show opened in full bloom today (14 March) and is underway until 23 March at Victoria Park. Supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club through its Charities Trust since 2013, the popular event is staged by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The opening ceremony was officiated by Andrew Leung, President of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR; Rosanna Law, HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism; Philip Lo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Manda Chan, HKSAR Government Director of Leisure and Cultural Services; and Ellyn Ngai, Miss Hong Kong 2024.

Jockey Club Green Playground at Victoria Park

This year’s show, part of the Club’s 140th anniversary celebrations, features cosmos as its theme flower, with the theme “Ablaze with Glory”. As the show’s major sponsor, the Club continues to support a series of educational programmes and activities that allow citizens, especially the younger generation, to learn about greening while enjoying the blooms. Among them is the Jockey Club Student Drawing Competition, which encourages students to depict the beauty of flower blossoms in their artwork. There is also the Jockey Club Mosaiculture Display by Students Activity, which has attracted over 1,100 students from 38 kindergartens, primary, secondary and special schools to contribute to a spectacular horticultural display. In celebration of the Club’s 140th anniversary, the display’s design features animals including two galloping horses.

Andrew Leung, President of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR (centre); Rosanna Law, HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism (2nd left); Philip Lo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); Manda Chan, HKSAR Government Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (1st right); and Ellyn Ngai, Miss Hong Kong 2024 (1st left) at the Hong Kong Flower Show 2025 opening ceremony.

Furthermore, the Jockey Club One Person, One Flower Scheme will distribute flower seedlings for free to participating students, aiming to raise awareness about greening and cultivate their interest in gardening. Under the “Give the Flowers a New Home!” Jockey Club Flower Re-planting Scheme, flowers suitable for replanting will be given to participating schools, charitable organisations and non-profit organisations after the flower show concludes.

Club Steward Philip Lo (right) receives a souvenir from Andrew Leung, President of the Legislative Council (left).

Club Steward Philip Lo (left) receives a souvenir from Manda Chan, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (right).

The Jockey Club Community Green Playground at the flower show features various facilities and games themed around nature and conservation, allowing children of all ages to learn about greening and environmental protection. Members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team are serving as playground facilitators, providing on-site support and disseminating green messages to the children while guiding them around different items of playground equipment made from recycled and reused materials. When the flower show concludes, they will also act as Green Ambassadors to help dismantle floral displays and recycle reusable plants.

Guests tour the Hong Kong Flower Show 2025.

Guests tour the Hong Kong Flower Show 2025.

To enable more people to appreciate the beauty of flowers at the show, the Club-supported Jockey Club HK Flower Show Transport Subsidy Scheme cum Guided Tour will provide free transport for senior citizens, disabled groups, students and underprivileged families, as well as organise guided tours during the show period.

Students join the Jockey Club Student Drawing Competition, encouraging them to depict the beauty of flower blossoms in their artwork.

Students join the Jockey Club Student Drawing Competition, encouraging them to depict the beauty of flower blossoms in their artwork.

As a not-for-profit sports and charity organisation rooted in Hong Kong for 140 years, the Club’s partnership with the community has thrived thanks to a unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong. The Club – under the banner “With You. Then. Now. Always.” – has organised a series of celebratory initiatives to mark this milestone and recognise Hong Kong people’s contribution to its mission to act continuously for the betterment of society.

For more information, please visit https://campaign.hkjc.com/140/en/