SF&OC said after discussing with the government, it issued a letter to HKIHA and the association has been given a month's notice to provide a full written explanation about their non-compliance with the relevant Guidelines to handle the national anthem in a dignified manner, together with a plan of improvement on corporate governance by May 4.

The Committee added that HKIHA's membership will be suspended if the association failed to do so.

The issue stemmed from a song that linked to the 2019 anti-extradition protests was played in place of the national anthem at the Ice Hockey World Championship on February 28 in Bosnia.

With reference to HKIHA's reports dated March 10 and 20, and a subsequent meeting held between both sides, SF&OC think that HKIHA failed to comply with the relevant Guidelines to handle and present the national anthem in a dignified manner.

SF&OC also said HKIHA did not provide the details nor respond positively to the repeated attempts made by SF&OC to meet up to discuss the incident at the earliest opportunity.

"Such unwillingness and evasiveness reflect the failings of HKIHA's leadership to communicate and cooperate with SF&OC, as well as its placing insufficient importance to the misplay of the national anthem," the Committee stated.

SF&OC emphasizes presenting the national anthem in a dignified manner and hopes that HKIHA will strengthen the governance and accountability of its leadership for capably and effectively leading the healthy development of HKIHA and the ice hockey sport in future.