First Division Clubs Express Fears For New Hong Kong Premier League At Meeting

Club execs warned on Sunday that "lack of progress in key areas of preparation is threatening the success of the new Hong Kong Premier League," according to Chan Kin-wa of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. At a First Division meeting, member clubs "expressed disappointment that many changes necessary for the professional league, scheduled to be launched in September, had not been addressed." Sunray Cave Sun Hei representative Chung Chi-kwong said, "We all know about the poor quality of venues and their lack of support facilities, and it is clear there is going to be little improvement by the time September comes around. It's like building a big grand house but with nothing inside." BC Rangers Exec Dir Philip Lee Fai-lap queried that "the fee the clubs now have to pay for live television broadcasts of matches." Fai-lap said, "I want to know if there will be sponsors paying for it in the new Premier League, but I was disappointed to find out at the meeting that it is very unlikely" (SCMP, 2/24).