A team code-named IFA-Prophet which is made up of students from The Chinese University of Hong Kong`s Insurance, Financial and Actuarial Analysis programme emerged as the Champion of the Hong Kong Management Game last Saturday (1 August) by outperforming five other finalist teams.

The Management Game is a simulation exercise making use of the computer program SIMBUSI to simulate a competitive business environment.

In the Hong Kong Final, each of the six teams managed a company selling laptop computers in retail and export markets. Their business objective was to outperform all other competitors and return the highest profit.

Apart from the typical decisions like pricing, marketing and production, teams have to make the difficult decision of whether to enter into a financial contract to hedge the escalating material costs. In the middle part of the competition, they also had to compete amongst each other to secure an idol to become their spokesperson.

At the end of the six periods, IFA-Prophet reaped a total of $15,331,675 profit and won the honour of Hong Kong champion. The team "Air Cargo 1" from Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd became the first runner-up, and the "Oil & Gas #1" team from Hong Kong and China Gas Co Ltd, came third.

The champion team was awarded four airtickets to Chennai, India sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd and the SCMP Morning Post Perpetual Trophy sponsored by the South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd.

The Prize Presentation Ceremony was held immediately after the competition. It was officiated by Ms Elsie Cheung, Director, Advertising, South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd; and Dr Tony Wo, Assistant Director, The Hong Kong Management Association.

The Hong Kong Champion team will represent Hong Kong to compete in the Regional Final against winners from India, Macau and Singapore. Each area takes turn to play host to the Regional Final and this year it will be held in India in September.

Organized by the Hong Kong Management Association, the Game is sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, the South China Morning Post, Classified Post as well as Jiu Jik.