The Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee (SF&OC) of Hong Kong was founded in 1949-50 and reorganised as a National Olympic Committee (NOC) in 1951. It changed to its present name of Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China with effect from March 8, 1999. The federation is a member of the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Council of Asia and the Association of National Olympic Committees and has been responsible for organising Hong Kong's participation in such major multi-sports games as the Olympic, Asian, East Asian, Pacific and National Games. With a membership of 72 National Sports Associations (NSAs), it represents the collective voice of the Hong Kong sports community.

Members of the SF&OC are NSAs, which are in turn affiliated to their International Federations (IFs) and Asian Federations (AFs). They are empowered to coordinate and conduct a wide range of activities related to their sports, from organising sports and recreation programmes for beginners to training of elite athletes; organising and sanctioning participation in local and overseas competitions and tournaments and the training of coaches and referees. NSAs implement and enforce local and international rules and regulations, and they represent Hong Kong in meetings of the IFs and the AFs.

The elected officers of the SF&OC and the NSAs are volunteers of high standing and expertise in their respective fields of sport. They are also the cornerstones in safeguarding the autonomy of the NOC/NSAs and in assuring a high quality of sports and recreation in Hong Kong.

For half a century, the federation has coordinated a comprehensive three-month Festival of Sport, commencing in March every year. It also organises extensive education programmes for sports leaders, administrators, coaches and technical officials free of charge, notably through the Hong Kong Olympic Academy which offers free sports management and sport science courses and programmes.

With the support of sponsors, the federation organises each year the Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards, the 'Oscars' of local sport, to recognise the achievements of top sportsmen and women. The 2003 prize presentation was held in conjunction with the federation's annual spring dinner in February 2004.

A planning committee was set up in July 2004 to host the 5th East Asian Games of 2009 with the Chief Executive as Patron, Secretary for Home Affairs as President and the Chairman of the SF&OC as Chairman. Apart from members of the SF&OC, government officials and the NSAs, representatives from the business, banking, airline and tourist sectors are also involved.