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發表於 2010-5-5 10:14:13
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Ex-sports chief keen to revive beautiful game
SOCCER
Alvin Sallay
May 05, 2010
Howard Wells, the former head of the now-defunct Sports Development
Board, is interested in returning to help save Hong Kong soccer, a top
government official said.
"He has made inquiries regarding the Hong Kong Football Association,"
Jonathan McKinley, deputy secretary for Home Affairs, said. "But I don't
know in what capacity."
Wells, who was chief executive of the Irish FA from 2005 to 2008,
refused to reveal in what capacity he would like to return - whether as the
"change agent" or as chief executive of a new, restructured HKFA.
Wells, who lives in England, said he was aware of the impending
restructuring to Hong Kong soccer's governing body - a move supported by the
government - and he was considering his options.
"I do not wish to be seen to be promoting myself," Wells said. "This
role was brought to my attention and I am considering my position. But I do
not wish to comment specifically on the situation at the HKFA."
The possible return of Wells was welcomed by Kwok Ka-ming, HKFA
director of international relations, who said Hong Kong could use the
Englishman's expertise.
"Hong Kong needs someone like Howard. He has the experience of running
the Irish FA, and it would be good if he returned," said Kwok, a former Hong
Kong coach who worked under Wells in the 1980s when soccer was part of the
elite programme at the Hong Kong Sports Institute.
"I'm not surprised to hear Howard wants to come back. He would do a
good job," Kwok said.
A consultancy study undertaken by the government has called for the
HKFA to make major changes in a bid to raise the standards of the game
locally and internationally. The reforms will initially be carried out by an
agent of change who is expected to be hired within the next few weeks.
"We don't have the expertise and would like to follow the advice of
the study by appointing such an agent to carry out reforms as necessary,"
HKFA chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak said. "We are also happy the government
will provide the financial resources to help us secure the services of an
appropriate person."
It is understood the agent of change would receive an annual package
of up to HK$2 million.
The consultancy study, revealed in February by the Home Affairs
Bureau, has urged the HKFA to strengthen its governance as the first major
objective before the government injects extra funding into the association
of about HK$75 million to HK$100 million in the next five years.
Wells said: "It seems there are major challenges within Hong Kong
football. But is the government prepared to provide funding to kick-start
radical change, as without that it will not go anywhere?"
Wells first arrived in Hong Kong in 1981 to take up a position as
operational manager at the former Jubilee Sports Centre in Sha Tin. He left
the JSC in 1989 to take over as chief executive of the Sports Development
Board, stepping down in 1995 when the position was localised.
A former chief executive of both Watford and Ipswich Town when they
achieved Premier League status in 1998 and 2000 respectively, Wells was also
chief executive of the United Kingdom Sports Council when it was set up in
1996. |
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發表於 2010-5-6 12:26:24
