Former windsurfer Sam Wong was on Friday appointed the new Commissioner for Sports.

From August 22, he will take up the post that has been vacated following the retirement of Yeung Tak-keung late last year.

Wong had represented Hong Kong in major international sports events, including the Olympic Games and the Asian Games.

He retired in 2000 and became a coach for the Hong Kong Windsurfing Team, before joining a number of sports associations and institutes.

"With his dedication to sports, a strong background in athlete training, and substantial experience in the sports sector, I trust that Mr Wong will be able to bring new impetus to the government on promoting and implementing the five policy objectives of sports development," sports minister Kevin Yeung said in a statement.

"I look forward to a new chapter of the Sports and Recreation Branch in the [Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau] under his leadership the further promotion of our sports development."

Wong, who's married to Hong Kong's first Olympic gold medallist Lee Lai-shan, said he was honoured to be appointed.

He also said he hope to leverage what he's learned and contribute to the city's sports development.