Hong Kong Policy Address 2024: government to fuel fencing fad after Paris Olympics

Hong Kong will build a sports arena with fencing training and competition facilities after two Hong Kong fencing athletes won in the Paris Olympics, said John Lee Ka-chiu in his third policy address.

Hong Kong's Edgar Cheung Ka-long and Vivian Kong Man-wai each won gold medals in the men's foil and women's epee events in Paris, sparking an increase in Hongkongers taking local fencing classes.

This is part of the government’s broader plan to increase Hong Kong’s international competitiveness. 

“We will make full use of the Kai Tak Sports Park and other existing venues to host large-scale international competitions so that Hong Kong teams can compete on home soil, building their own audience,” said Lee. “These will be conducive to the long-term development of the sports industry.”

Hong Kong is set to host the World Foil Championships in 2026 and co-host the 15th National Games with Guangdong and Macou, during which Hong Kong will be responsible for organising eight events, including fencing.

"After the Paris Olympics, the number of people inquiring about fencing increased by approximately 50% to 80%. In the past, most were children below secondary school age, but now there is a noticeable rise in interest from university students and adults as well," said Rever You, Administrative Director of the Hong Kong Fencing School, where this year's Olympic fencing champion Cheung spent six years learning the basics of fencing.

There are 46 fencing training institutions in Hong Kong, including the Asian Fencing Academy, Hong Kong Fencing School, and Fencing Formula, that offer a range of fencing courses, according to the Hong Kong Fencing Association.

"After seeing Vivian Kong and Edgar Cheung win championships this year, my child has raised a strong interest in fencing," said Liu, who preferred not to disclose his full name.

You said that after the Hong Kong team’s success at the Paris Olympics, the number of people signing up for fencing classes increased by 20% to 30%.

"In the past, about five people would participate in a class, but now there are seven or eight students when classes open, " she said.

Last year, more than 15 international sporting events were held in Hong Kong, and the government allocated nearly HK$7.4 billion to its sports budget,  focusing on the popularization, professionalization and event promotion of sports, an increase of approximately 42% compared to five years ago. 

In May of this year, Hong Kong hosted the International Fencing Federation Foil World Cup at the AsiaWorld Expo for the first time, according to the government.

The Kai Tak Sports Park will open in the first quarter of 2025, as the largest sports infrastructure project ever commissioned in Hong Kong to boost sports development.

“Hong Kong has abundant resources and support,” said Lee. “Our city has unrivaled advantages for developing itself into a platform for international sports activities.”