Hong Kong govt supports suspension of ice hockey association over national anthem

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Hong Kong govt supports suspension of ice hockey association over national anthem

This screenshot from a video shows players from Hong Kong and Iran during a game at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina on February 28, 2023.

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has reiterated its support for the decision of the city's top sports federation to suspend the Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association over a national anthem blunder during an international competition in late February.

A spokesman for the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau said on Saturday that the HKSAR government and the SF&OC have the same objective to find out the reason for the error and improve the HKIHA's corporate governance.

It said that the government subsidies on ice hockey athletes' training and competition will not be affected by the final decision upon the completion of the investigation.

A song linked to Hong Kong's anti-government protests was played at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Bosnia and Herzegovina on February 28, instead of the national anthem for the Hong Kong team.

The SF&OC has requested the HKIHA to provide a full written explanation about the incident and submit a plan of improvement in corporate governance.