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Paul McNamara

A music entrepreneur and friend to multiple household names is plotting to own and play for Supreme FC in the Hong Kong Premier League next season.
Jim Wong Chi-chuen scored his team’s second goal in a 3-1 win over Kwun Tong on Sunday that maintained their five-point advantage over Wofoo Social Enterprises at the First Division summit with five matches remaining.
The ambitious 35-year-old has made his promotion pitch to the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA), pledging to add value-for-money entertainment and stardust to the local top-flight.
He bought the club, formerly known as Sun Source, 2½ years ago, and renamed it Supreme, the Chinese translation of his name, Chi-chuen.
The managing director of Live Nation Electronic Asia, which promotes electronic dance music events across the continent, Wong said: “I want to bring changes to the Premier League, a lot of Hongkongers love football, but even for a HK$20 (US$2.55) ticket, they want that to be money well spent.
“I think we can make it more fun. If you go to a fourth-tier game in England, you have DJs, people drinking beer, an atmosphere; they’re all having a good time.”

Currently talking to “every possible sponsor in Hong Kong”, Wong acknowledged it was hard to persuade businesses to part with their cash. “They’d rather back concerts or musical festivals or the Hong Kong Sevens, because they know what they’ll get for their money,” he said.
Formerly a forward for Double Flower, Tung Sing and Citizen, Wong estimated that Supreme would have a Premier League budget of around HK$5 million to HK$6 million, which is less than half the amount invested by the big guns every season.
“We want to have 2,000 fans within five years, and we also want to help local players,” said Wong, adding that he would recruit no more than five foreigners.
“We’re also not going to sign too many older players … and after five years we want five to seven players who play for the Hong Kong team.”
A number of hurdles still need to be cleared for Wong to fulfil his dream of securing Sha Tin Sports Ground as Supreme’s home stadium.
“I was born in Sha Tin, and grew up and studied there,” he said. “My office is in Sha Tin and I live there. It also has the biggest population of any district in Hong Kong.”

Talking after playing on a s*** pitch in front of a handful of spectators at Happy Valley Recreation Ground on Sunday, Wong said it was imperative to secure a permanent home, regardless of whether he obtained his preferred choice.
“You need it to invest in the arena, and to have merchandise booths and activations,” he said.
Supreme are currently managed by Lo Kwan-yee, 41, who is assisted by his ex-Kitchee and Hong Kong teammate, the 40-year-old Lam Ka-wai.
Revealing that Lo would not play next season “because he has to focus” but that Lam would register, Wong said he had no issues taking instructions from the coaching staff.
“Whatever they decide, I respect, I never get involved in their instructions or selections,” he said, citing his recent relegation to the bench one week after scoring a “wonder goal” as an example.
“As a player I wasn’t happy, but as the boss I was, because we won. I don’t complain, which sets the standard for the youngsters.”
Wong said he also continued to play to show the team that “if your boss is working hard, you should, too”, although he will stop after next season.
“I can’t physically and mentally do it anymore, it’s really draining,” he said. “I want to go up with the team, if I get a goal in the Premier League, maybe that will be my mic drop and I’ll retire.”
Confident that the HKFA are “welcome to us joining because of the attention we attract”, Wong developed his promotional skills hosting parties as a student at Cardiff University. He subsequently gained a Master’s in music from New York University and has since brought acts such as Calvin Harrris, Armin van Buuren and Tiesto to Asia.
“I will do my best to bring international celebrities, DJs and local heroes to matches, it’s a very important factor in making the club interesting,” he said.
Meanwhile, the HKFA have announced the cancellation of Hong Kong’s friendly in Nepal on Thursday.
It said the decision had been made by their Nepalese counterparts because of the “ongoing political situation” in the country.
Hong Kong will play India away in their final Asian Cup qualifier on March 31.


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Music entrepreneur planning to add Supreme stardust to Hong Kong Premier League

Jim Wong celebrates a goal during Supreme’s 3-1 victory over Kwun Tong on Sunday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Jim Wong toasts his strike after putting Supreme 2-0 up against Kwun Tong. Photo: Sam Tsang

Jim Wong goes on the attack during Supreme’s victory over Kwun Tong. Photo: Sam Tsang

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Sport

Football

Jim Wong owns and plays for First Division leaders, wants to bring ‘‘international celebrities, DJs and local heroes’ to matches next season


Jim Wong owns and plays for First Division leaders, wants to bring ‘‘international celebrities, DJs and local heroes’ to matches next season.


Hong Kong Premier League

Music entrepreneur planning to add Supreme stardust to Hong Kong Premier League

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Jim Wong owns and plays for First Division leaders, wants to bring ‘‘international celebrities, DJs and local heroes’ to matches next season

Jim Wong owns and plays for First Division leaders, wants to bring ‘‘international celebrities, DJs and local heroes’ to matches next season