Hong Kong FA CEO Mark Sutcliffe "has launched a staunch defence of the much criticised Project Phoenix and urged the government not only to continue its financial support for the sport, but also to increase funding," according to Alvin Sallay of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. Sutcliffe said that 22 of Project Phoenix's 33 recommendations "have been completed and more cash is needed if these seeds are to bear fruit." Sutcliffe in a 12-page position statement "The Phoenix is Rising" insisted the HKFA has "transformed itself" and is now in the process of "transforming the sport." The government's three-year Project Phoenix program "comes to a close at the end of October." It has committed HK$60M ($7.7M) with an annual payout of HK$20M ($2.6M). The government "will decide in the next few months whether to continue its support." It is believed that "the relevant people in the government are happy with the progress made." In its new five-year plan, the HKFA "wants government funding increased" to HK$100M ($13M) annually (SCMP, 2/26).
