10 YEARS OF THE BOC LIFE HONG KONG PREMIER LEAGUE

By LI Tak-nang

       The past 10 years of the BOC LIFE Hong Kong Premier League have seen numerous challenges since its launch 2014. Nevertheless, the league has also laid remarkable milestones in the history of Hong Kong football.

       An important but probably least visible milestone, perhaps, is the introduction of a club licensing system as required by the AFC. In the debut season, the milelong list of standard and requirement have not only troubled some of the clubs, but also the First Instance Board, of which I am one of the four independent members. The very tedious assessment job has then gradually become easier as structure and management of the clubs are now more professional. The licensing system has indeed helped connecting Hong Kong football with the whole Asia.

       Speaking of Asia, already six Premier League clubs, South China, Kitchee, Eastern, Tai Po, Lee Man and BC Rangers, have played in the current format of the Asian Champions League in the past 10 years. Eastern and Kitchee were each in the group stage once and, in 2022, Kitchee managed to secure a berth in the round of 16.

       If I had to name a most impressive person in the past decade, it should be CHAN Yuen-ting. “Cow Ball” coached Eastern to clinch the title in the second season of the BOC LIFE Premier League. She was the first women to coach a men’s professional team to the championship of a top tier league, which subsequently earned her the 2016 AFC Women Coach of the Year Award.

        I have to also recognize the sponsor, BOC Life, who has made its name an integral part of the Premier League. BOC Life is the longest-standing title sponsor of the top-tier league in the history of Hong Kong.

        The newest milestone is the establishment of the Premier League Committee. It’s immediate introduction of the Gate Receipt Sharing Scheme is probably the only of its kind in the world of professional football.

        As the HK Premier League is going into its second decade. I would like to quote the famous words of Martin Luther King Jr – “I have a dream”. Yes, I do have a dream about the league.

        I dream of seeing times and again long queues for game ticket.

        I dream of seeing overseas tourists sitting next to me, who are coming purposely to watch our games.

        I dream of seeing colorful food vans selling hot dogs and soda in the public space of the stadia, while licensed operators are in the stands offering beer and snack, making matchday experience really enjoyable.

        All of these dreams, I believe, can become real if all stakeholders want them realized and relevant government departments and bureaus could exercise greater flexibility in policy and regulations. If we can look at us as one team, with one goal, all these will become possible. Let’s put our heads and hands together for a better environment that fosters our younger generation to pursue their dreams and to make Hong Kong football a genuine “professional industry”. Thank you.