Olympic fencing gold medallist Vivian Kong Man-wai will transition to a consultant role at the Hong Kong Jockey Club after being sworn in as a tourism lawmaker. Her former boss, Freely Cheng Kei, said she will continue to be employed by the club starting January 1, 2025, to promote racing tourism. "We understand that she, as a lawmaker, could hardly work at the Jockey Club full time."
Former Hong Kong star fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai will transition to a consultant role at the Jockey Club after she is sworn in as a tourism lawmaker, her former boss has said. The retired Olympic fencing gold medallist joined the club in August 2024 as an assistant external affairs manager, but suspended her duties last month to run for the election in the tourism sector.
The 31-year-old secured 131 votes, beating Kwun Tong district councillor Ma Yat-chiu, raising questions over her role at the club. Freely Cheng Kei, the club’s head of external affairs, told the media on Sunday that Kong would shift to a new role as a consultant. “From January 1 next year, Vivian Kong will continue to be employed by the Jockey Club but will transition to the role of a consultant to promote racing tourism,” Cheng said.
This arrangement acknowledges the challenges of balancing her legislative duties with full-time work at the club. As a new tourism lawmaker, Kong is expected to leverage her Olympic fame to boost Hong Kong's racing tourism sector, supporting the local tourism industry.
