This screenshot made from a video shows players of Hong Kong and Iran during a match at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Feb 28, 2023.
HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Thursday expressed support for the city’s top sports federation’s decision to issue a written reprimand to the Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association over a national anthem blunder during an international competition in late February.
The Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) Board of Officers decided on Thursday morning to give a written reprimand to the HKIHA, which had admitted responsibility for the incident, according to an HKSAR government statement.
The HKSAR government said the HKIHA and other national sports associations should learn from this incident, adding that it supports the SF&OC's request for the HKIHA to further improve its corporate governance
“The HKIHA failed to fully adhere to the guidelines in taking adequate measures to ensure that the organizer played the correct national anthem during the Ice Hockey World Championship held in Bosnia on February 28 this year,” the statement reads.
“The HKSAR government supports the SF&OC's decision and considers it an appropriate disciplinary action.”
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The government said the HKIHA and other national sports associations should learn from this incident, adding that it supports the SF&OC's request for the HKIHA to further improve its corporate governance.
“In order to safeguard national dignity, they must comply with all requirements as stipulated in the guidelines in the future, and make their best endeavors to ensure the organizer plays the correct national anthem,” it said.
The government said the SF&OC is vested with both the duty and power to ensure that member national sports associations maintain good governance to ensure the good development of their respective sports and provision of comprehensive support to athletes.
The government also urged the HKIHA to duly address the issues pointed out by the SF&OC and make improvements “as soon as possible.”
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“As the SF&OC has pointed out various concerns in the corporate governance of the HKIHA, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is further reviewing the use of government funding by the HKIHA, with a view to identifying room for improvements and ensuring the proper use of public resources,” the government said.
“The aim is to make sure that public resources are used effectively in the promotion of ice hockey and provision of better support to athletes in their training and international competitions.”