A new partnership between PolyU and the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) aims to give local athletes a competitive edge. The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 28 November to establish the PolyU-HKSI Research Centre. The new Centre aspires to drive research in elite sports, promote the development of sports science and technology, and help Hong Kong athletes achieve greater sporting success.

Jointly managed by the PolyU Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology and the HKSI under the leadership of inaugural Centre Coordinators Prof. Ming Zhang from PolyU and Dr Raymond So from the HKSI, the Centre will form an expert team comprising PolyU researchers, technologists, sports professionals and technical analysts to conduct pioneering interdisciplinary research and large-scale collaborative projects in sports.

Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU, said the University’s has always been a staunch supporter of sports development, including the launch of the Outstanding Sportsmen Recommendation Scheme and the partnership with HKSI on the Elite Athletes Study Programme. “The Centre signifies the commitment of both parties to making greater contributions to promoting sports development,” he added.

HKSI has also put enormous efforts into supporting athletes’ performance by employing novel sports technologies. Dr Trisha Leahy, Chief Executive of the HKSI hopes the closer collaboration with PolyU will see Hong Kong athletes scale new heights in sporting glory.

Going forward, the Centre will serve as a platform for research innovation, knowledge exchange and technology transfer in elite sports, bringing together academia and the sports sector to spur sports growth.