Press Release

HKBU partners with General Administration of Sport of China to launch Hong Kong’s first Master’s Programme in Sports Management for national elite athletes

Wednesday, 2 September 2026

 

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) will launch the Master of Social Sciences in Sports Management programme in the 2026/27 academic year, with an opening ceremony held today (2 September). Jointly organised by HKBU’s Department of Sports and Health Sciences and the Sports Fund Management Centre of the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC), this is the first taught master’s programme in Hong Kong specifically designed for national elite athletes. The programme aims to support their transition into sports management careers after retirement, serving the Chinese Mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Greater Bay Area, while empowering them to play an internationally influential role in global sports exchange and collaboration.

HKBU’s Master of Social Sciences in Sports Management programme will admit 30 students annually, all of whom are elite athletes nominated and sponsored by the Sports Fund Management Centre of the GASC, and have achieved outstanding results in the Olympic Games, Asian Games, World Championships, Asian Championships and National Games. The curriculum covers topics such as sports facility and event management, sports marketing, legal, ethical, economic and financial aspects of sports, international sports governance, and organisational behaviour in sports. Some courses will be taught in English, with a subject-based English enhancement course included to improve students’ proficiency in sports management and cross-cultural communication, further promoting the participation and contribution of Chinese sports elites in international sports affairs. Additionally, HKBU will arrange students to participate in activities, projects and internships with various international sports industry and management organisations, expanding their professional networks and enabling them to gain valuable experience.

The opening ceremony was attended by Mr Chen Yibing, Representative of the Sports Fund Management Centre of the GASC, Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Team Champion and Men’s Still Rings Champion at the Beijing 2008 Olympics and Former Member of the Chinese National Gymnastics Team; Mr Chen Aisen, Double Olympic Champion in the Men’s 10-metre Platform Individual and Synchronised Diving at the Rio 2016 Olympics and Former Member of the Chinese National Diving Team; Professor Luo Yin, Elite Talent Project Consultant of Master of Social Sciences in Sports Management; the Hon Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, Member of the Legislative Council; Mr Cheng King-leung, Chairman of the Elite Sports Committee; Mr Yue Kwok-leung, Vice President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China; Dr Luk Tze-chung, Vice President of the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee; Dr Joseph Lee, President of Wofoo Social Enterprises; Mr Stephen Yau How-boa, Chief Executive of the International Social Service Hong Kong Branch; Mr Chan King-yin, Head Windsurfing Coach at the Hong Kong Sports Institute; Dr Wan Lap-man, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Playground Association, and Mr Felix Lio, President of the Kowloon City District Sports Association.

HKBU representatives included Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice‑Chancellor of HKBU; Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) of HKBU; Professor Andrew Kwok Wai-luen, Associate Vice-President (Curriculum and Pedagogies) of HKBU; Professor Daniel Lai Wing-leung, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; Professor Sandy Li, Director of the Academy of Wellness and Human Development; Professor Patrick Lau, Associate Director (Research) of the Academy of Wellness and Human Development and Programme Director of the Master of Social Sciences in Sports Management of HKBU.

Distinguished guests witnessed the first cohort of 30 students, including Ms Ren Guixin, Former Member of the China Women’s National Football Team, and Ms Wang Ziwen, Chinese Wushu athlete, begin their studies at HKBU. Ms Ren Guixin led the inaugural class in a pledge, committing themselves to pursue their studies with true sportsmanship, respect academic standards, uphold the university motto, study diligently, and strive for excellence.

In his welcoming remarks, Professor Alex Wai said: “HKBU sincerely thanks the GASC for its support. This programme reflects HKBU’s strong commitment to nurturing high-quality management talent for the rapidly growing global sports industry, and to training elite athletes to serve as China’s representatives in international sports organisations, thereby enhancing China’s voice in the development of sport on the global stage.”

Professor Patrick Lau said: “The completion of the Kai Tak Sports Park reflects Hong Kong’s resolve and potential to develop into a regional hub for major international sporting events. With the nation targeting a total sports industry scale of RMB 7 trillion by 2030, this programme will nurture talent with professional expertise and a global outlook, supporting local sports development and contributing to the national goal of building a sporting powerhouse.”

Mr Yang Jie, Deputy Director of Sports Fund Management Centre of the GASC, said in a pre-recorded video: “Establishing a comprehensive, full-lifecycle development system for retired athletes, and helping them transition from achieving success in the sporting arena to making meaningful contributions in industry and society, is an essential foundation for advancing the national talent strategy and building China into a leading sports nation. The Centre will partner with HKBU to support students in their studies and daily life in Hong Kong, as well as their career development and entrepreneurial pursuits.”

Mr Chen Yibing shared his experience of joining Beijing Normal University as a faculty member after retiring from competitive sport, offering encouragement to the first cohort of students. “Competitive sport may shape us in youth, but it is the continuous learning and growth that shape a fulfilled life. Bring the perseverance you showed on the field into the classroom, and train yourselves to become a new generation of outstanding sports professionals with both competitive strength and academic ability,” he said.

Mr Chen Aisen also shared his plans to pursue a career as a university physical education teacher. “Life is not set in stone, and it is never too late to start over. Many retired athletes I know have successfully moved into new careers, whether in coaching, sports management, entrepreneurship or other fields. Keep learning, and don’t be afraid of challenges or of starting later than others. As long as you are headed in the right direction, every step counts,” he said.

Ms Ren Guixin, student representative, shared: “It is an honour to be enrolled at HKBU, and I would like to express my gratitude to the Sports Fund Management Centre of the GASC. During my time at the University, I will strengthen my theoretical foundations, integrate theory with practice, broaden my international perspective, and enhance my cross-cultural communication skills. I also hope that, through my own experience, I can inspire more young people in sport.”

Ms Wang Ziwen, student representative, shared: “As a Wushu taolu athlete, I have long aspired to contribute to promoting Wushu’s inclusion as an official Olympic sport and to strengthening China’s presence in international sport. HKBU’s Master of Social Sciences in Sports Management offers an international learning environment that will support my future efforts to promote Wushu globally and take part in international sports affairs.”

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Mr Chen Yibing, Representative of the Sports Fund Management Centre of the GASC and Former Member of the Chinese National Gymnastics Team (3rd left, 2nd row); Mr Chen Aisen, Former Member of the Chinese National Diving Team (3rd right, 2nd row); Professor Luo Yin, Elite Talent Project Consultant of Master of Social Sciences in Sports Management (4th left, 3rd row); Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice Chancellor of HKBU (centre, 2nd row); Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) of HKBU (2nd right, 2nd row); Professor Andrew Kwok Wai-luen, Associate Vice-President (Curriculum and Pedagogies) of HKBU (7th left, 3rd row); Professor Daniel Lai Wing-leung, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (6th left, 3rd row); Professor Sandy Li, Director of the Academy of Wellness and Human Development (5th left, 3rd row); Professor Patrick Lau, Associate Director (Research) of the Academy of Wellness and Human Development and Programme Director of the Master of Social Sciences in Sports Management of HKBU (7th right, 3rd row); the Hon Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, Member of the Legislative Council (2nd left, 2nd row); Mr Cheng King-leung, Chairman of the Elite Sports Committee (1st left, 2nd row), Mr Yue Kwok-leung, Vice President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (1sr right, 2nd row) and Dr Luk Tze-chung, Vice President of the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee (5th right, 3rd row), joined other guests and the first cohort of students at the programme’s opening ceremony.
Professor Alex Wai delivers his speech.
Professor Patrick Lau introduces the programme.
Mr Yang Jie, Deputy Director of Sports Fund Management Centre of the GASC, delivers a pre-recorded video speech.
Mr Chen Yibing shares his experience of joining Beijing Normal University as a faculty member after retiring from competitive sport, offering encouragement to the first cohort of students.
Mr Chen Aisen shares his plans to pursue a career as a university physical education teacher.
Ms Ren Guixin (right), student representative, leads the class in the pledge.
Ms Wang Ziwen (left) says that HKBU offers an international learning environment that will support her future efforts to promote Wushu globally and take part in international sports affairs. Ms Ren Guixin (right) says she hopes to inspire more young people in sport through her own experience.