Following the participation in the AUSF General Assembly and Strategic Dialogue held in Macau, China, FISU President Leonz Eder and Secretary General/CEO Matthias Remund travelled to Hong Kong, China for an official visit.
This visit marked an important milestone: the first time in FISU’s history that senior representatives visited the University Sports Federation of Hong Kong, China (USFHK) in person, despite Hong Kong’s long-standing membership since 1985.
Focus on opportunities and future collaboration
During the short but productive meeting, the FISU leadership engaged with senior USFHK officials to discuss several key topics, including the current mission and challenges of USFHK, the possibility of hosting future FISU World University Championships, the region’s participation in the Summer and Winter FISU World University Games, and strengthening institutional cooperation as well as the long-term FISU–USFHK working relationship.
USFHK expressed strong interest in hosting a FISU World University Squash Championship in the near future. The Federation has already initiated contacts with the Hong Kong Sports Institute, and will follow up with the HKSAR Government funding authorities for financial support, as well as seek technical collaboration with the Hong Kong Squash Association.
Those representing USFHK at the meeting included William Hau, Council Chairman (here in blue with Kenny Chow), Elaine Mak, Executive Committee Chairlady, Yong Chi Fung, World University Organising Committee Chairman.
A FISU member with a distinguished legacy
Although this was the first ever official FISU leadership visit to Hong Kong, USFHK has a long and meaningful history within the university sports movement. Since joining FISU in 1985, Hong Kong, China has participated actively in FISU events, particularly the FISU Summer World University Games, and has produced respected leaders at the international level. One of the most prominent figures is Kenny Chow, Honorary FISU Member, who served in FISU Commissions and on the FISU Executive Committee from 2007 to 2023. During the recent AUSF General Assembly in Macau, he was formally recognised as an Honorary AUSF Member for his decades of contribution.
Hong Kong also continues to play an active role today through its representation in FISU Technical Committees with Emily Lau as Technical Committee Chair for Football, Cheong-ki Chan, Substitute Technical Committee Chair in Table Tennis, and Chang Chi Ming Thomas, Substitute Technical Committee Chair in Volleyball. These appointments reflect the strong technical expertise and long-term commitment of Hong Kong to the international university sports movement.
About the University Sports Federation of Hong Kong, China
Founded in 1961 as the Hong Kong Post-Secondary Colleges Athletic Association, USFHK is an associate member of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and a proud member of both FISU and AUSF. The Federation was incorporated in its current form in 2016.
Today, USFHK comprises 13 member institutions and maintains a broad mission:
- Organising sports competitions among tertiary institutions
- Promoting sportsmanship and student development through sport
- Providing professional activities to support academic standards in physical education
- Serving as a leading coordinator of university sport in Hong Kong
USFHK oversees a rich calendar of university sports, with numerous championships and intercollegiate events across a wide range of disciplines. A full list of sports and activities can be found on their official website: www.usfhk.org.
Hong Kong, China has sent a delegation of 109 members, including 75 student-athletes competing in 10 sports, to the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany. Hong Kong, China won a total of seven medals at the recent Games: two gold, one silver and four bronze.
The visit of President Leonz Eder and Secretary General Matthias Remund marks a new chapter in FISU’s cooperation with Hong Kong, strengthening ties with a member that has contributed significantly to international university sport for nearly four decades.
Written by Fernando Parente
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