The Hong Kong Football Association Limited (), often abbreviated to the HKFA, is the governing body of association football in Hong Kong. Its current chairman is Pui Kwan Kay and its Chief Executive Officer is Joaquin Tam. History The HKFA was established in 1914. It is one of the oldest Football Federations in Asia and is responsible for organising various football competitions including professional and amateur leagues, football development and promoting football in Hong Kong. In 1954, HKFA joined FIFA, and was also one of twelve founding associations of the Asian Football Confederation. Hong Kong played an important role in the early development of Asian football, and was given the honour of hosting the first Asian Cup competition in 1956, in which Hong Kong came third in the tournament. Having been a part of the British Empire, and, more recently part of the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong fields a separate FIFA-recognised representative team. HKFA is also responsible for operating the Hong Kong national football team (), which represents Hong Kong and competes in international football events. HKFA's president is Timothy Fok SBS JP. The association is currently led by chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak. Project Phoenix Project Phoenix is a government-supported project. It is a strategy and action plan to reform Hong Kong football from top to bottom. 2010–11 Former The FA executive director David Davies led the team of change agent - Scott Wilson Group, which was appointed by Hong Kong Football Association in September 2010 to carry out the reform and restructuring of football in Hong Kong. On 21 November 2011, HKFA named Gordon McKie as its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Gordon, the former Chairman of the Scottish Rugby Union, had served HKFA for only ten months and resign from his post in September 2012 with personal reasons. On 17 December 2011, HKFA appointed Ernie Merrick as the National Head Coach of Hong Kong Football Team. Merrick told to media that he felt honor to have an opportunity to participate the development and growing of Hong Kong football. Merrick won two titles in six season for Melbourne Victory. He started his new role on 9 January 2012. On 23 December 2011, Kim Pan-Gon named National Academy Coach. Coach Kim will be wholly responsible for the identification, development and coaching of all players aged 18 and below. 2012–13 On 17 April 2012, Australian Steve O'Connor was appointed