The global sports industry is projected to exceed USD 680 billion by 2028. In full support of Chief Executive John Lee’s 2024 Policy Address which emphasized promoting sports arbitration and fostering the professional development of the sports industry while enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international dispute resolution hub, AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre (AALCO-HKRAC) launched Hong Kong’s inaugural “Sports Mediation Training Programme” in January 2025 at Hong Kong Baptist University. This is Hong Kong’s first program designed to train “accredited sports mediators”. The course covers mediation skills, sports-related mediation techniques, sports policies, and international case studies, aiming to nurture a new generation of sports mediators and industry experts. Moreover, the professional qualifications gained from the course can help athletes transition into professional mediators, leveraging their sports expertise to strengthen Hong Kong’s pool of dispute resolution talent.
The course received strong support from the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), attracting overwhelming registrations from participants in both the legal and sports sectors. The training program features a distinguished lineup of instructors from Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Nigeria. Among them are professionals certified by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland and the China Sports Arbitration Commission under the General Administration of Sport of China. They shared their expertise and practical experience to equip participants with international perspectives and hands-on skills.
Today’s “Graduation Ceremony of the Sports Mediation Training Programme and Sports Dispute Resolution Seminar” was turbo-charge energized by several distinguished guests, including Dr. Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan, Deputy Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong SAR, Ms. Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Mr. Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, Vice-President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China; Delegate of the NPC and Member of the Legislative Council, Mr. Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Institute and Member of the Legislative Council, Mr. Victor Dawes SC, Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, and Prof. Alexander Wai Ping-kong, President and Vice-Chancellor of Hong Kong Baptist University.
In the opening speech, Dr. Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan, Deputy Secretary for Justice, announced that the Department of Justice officially established The Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution earlier this month and is expected to launch the pilot scheme on sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong later this year. Additionally, the headquarters of the planned International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) will be formally established in Hong Kong this year, becoming the world’s first intergovernmental organization dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation; Hong Kong holds immense potential for developing sports dispute arbitration and mediation.
Ms. Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism said that Hong Kong’s commitment to sports development is evident in the increasing resources that the Government has devoted to this policy area over the years. In 2024-25, we are spending about $7.9 billion, which doubles the annual spending of $3.9 billion 10 years ago. Along our path of driving sports development, it is important and essential to have an efficient and robust mechanism for resolving sports-related disputes. This is crucial to the further advancement of sports development. Efficiency and credibility in handling and resolving conflicts will avoid and mitigate potential drastic impact that a long process of seeking redress may have on athletes’ career.
Mr. Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, Vice-President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China pointed out that the sports industry should leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages under the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ framework and reinforce the connectivity with both the Mainland and the world. A dispute resolution centre like AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre, independent from SF&OC, can offer a more efficient, fair and transparent dispute resolution service for sports industry.
During the “Sports Policies in Hong Kong” session, Mr. Vincent Cheng Wing-shun proposed formulating a “2030+ Sports Policy and Development Blueprint,” which includes over fifty recommendations to foster collaborative efforts to promote sports development in Hong Kong.
The seminar featured two thematic panel discussions chaired by Mr. Nick Chan, Director of AALCO-HKRAC and Honorary Legal Advisor of SF&OC.
Panel Discussion 1: “Introduction to the Sports Industry and Its Related Disputes”. This session provided an in-depth exploration of legal and dispute-related issues in the sports industry.
Dr. Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan, Deputy Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong SAR, shared the Hong Kong Government’s role and contributions to sports law and related policies.
Prof. Christopher To, Barrister and Arbitrator of AALCO-HKRAC, Mediator of CAS discussed critical issues in sports arbitration.
Prof. Ike Ehiribe, Barrister and Arbitrator of AALCO-HKRAC and CAS offered insights into international arbitration and mediation practice.
Mr. Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, Vice-President of SF&OC and Chairperson of the Hong Kong Olympic Academy, discussed Hong Kong’s sports development policies and international cooperation.
Prof. Patrick Lau Wing-chung, Chair of the Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, and Associate Director of Wellness and Human Development (Research), Hong Kong Baptist University examined the role of academic research in supporting the sports industry and its sustainable development.
Datuk Prof. Sundra Rajoo, Arbitrator of AALCO-HKRAC and CAS, shared his extensive experience in arbitration and mediation and his future outlooks.
Panel Discussion 2: “Sports Law and Salient Legal Issues”. This session focused on core issues and legal challenges in sports law.
Ms. Grace Cheng, 39 Essex Chambers, shortlisted for the Legal 500 Sports Junior of the Year Award 2024, shared her practical experience in sports law.
Mr. Ronald Sum, Council Member and Chairman of the Sports Law Committee of The Law Society of Hong Kong analyzed the legal framework for sports.
Mr. Victor Dawes SC, Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association explored arbitration and mediation mechanisms in sports law.
Mr. Yang-Wahn Hew, Barrister and Panellist of the Asian Sports Tribunal of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) provided insights into sports law in the region.
The “Graduation Ceremony of the Sports Mediation Training Programme and Sports Dispute Resolution Seminar” not only nurtured a new cohort of professionals specializing in sports dispute mediation but also fostered in-depth discussions and exchanges on the legal challenges, dispute resolution mechanisms, and future developments in the sports industry. These efforts align with the government’s commitment to promoting sports in the community, supporting elite sports, promoting Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events, enhancing professionalism and developing sports as an industry. This also prepares Hong Kong to become a global hub for sports dispute resolution.
