Hong Kong plots reform to 'transform' football

The Hong Kong government is proposing a radical reform of football to 'transform' the game in the Chinese-ruled former British colony.

The Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) was one of the first founded in Asia but their international team, once a regional power, now languishes at 142nd in the FIFA rankings.

A new government-sponsored report recommends wholesale restructuring of the HKFA, a new professional league, a full-time coach, more friendlies for the national team, better youth development and an improvement of facilities.

"If the changes are implemented in an effective way, it is possible to envisage a transformation of football in the next five to 10 years," Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing said.

The initial goal would be to get Hong Kong back into the top 100 in the FIFA rankings in five years, and the top 80 over the next decade.

Tsang promised additional funding but did not anticipate all of the $12 million required over the next five years coming from the public purse.

"Football is big business in many other parts of the world and it may soon be the same in Hong Kong," he said.