The Hong Kong SAR government announced on the 11th that the pilot program for resolving sports disputes will be launched on the same day. The pilot program is launched by the Department of Justice of the Special Administrative Region Government and supported by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Special Administrative Region Government. Its aim is to provide a fair, efficient and convenient system for the sports industry to resolve sports disputes through mediation and arbitration, promote the sustainable development of Hong Kong's sports industry, and make Hong Kong an international center for sports dispute resolution. The pilot program will begin accepting case applications at the beginning of the first quarter of 2026 and operate for two years. The pilot program will adopt a "mediation first, arbitration later" approach to resolve sports disputes, including those involving and not involving commerce. The pilot plan will establish an online mediation and arbitration platform, and set up a simplified procedure mechanism to improve dispute resolution efficiency and respond to emergency disputes that may arise during the event. The SAR government will provide funding for eligible cases. Zhang Guojun, Deputy Secretary for Justice of the Special Administrative Region Government and Chairman of the Sports Dispute Resolution Advisory Committee, delivered a speech stating that establishing a specialized mechanism for resolving sports disputes is an important sports infrastructure to promote the sports industry to a higher level. The Director of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Special Administrative Region Government, Rosamund Law, stated that the pilot scheme not only responds to the actual needs of the industry, but also helps to create a healthier and more sustainable development environment, laying a solid foundation for the long-term future of Hong Kong sports. (New Society)