Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Vice President of the Organising Committee of the 15th National Games (NG) and Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today today attended a press conference held by the Organising Committee of the 15th NG in Shenzhen, alongside relevant officials from the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC), Guangdong Province and the Macau Special Administrative Region.
Mr Chan reflected at the press conference that this year’s NG represents an unprecedented example of sports collaboration among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, showcasing infinite possibilities for the joint development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
He said the successful staging of the NG not only enhances Hong Kong’s ability to host large-scale sporting events but also promotes deep integration and collaboration among GBA cities, fostering people-to-people exchanges within the GBA and laying a solid foundation for the three places to co-host future mega events.
Mr Chan outlined that this year’s games marked the eighth time Hong Kong has participated in the NG, and were also the city’s most successful NG as it won a total of 19 medals: nine golds, two silvers and eight bronzes. He said this reflects not only the abilities of Hong Kong’s athletes but also that Hong Kong is moving in the right direction in terms of training elite athletes and formulating policies on sports development. He added that it also demonstrates the effectiveness of joint efforts by the Government and various sectors of the community to promote the development of sports over the years.
The Chief Secretary highlighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has allocated abundant resources to support sports development. It has designated over $1 billion for the Hong Kong Sports Institute in 2025-26 to facilitate training and support for over 1,600 elite athletes.
He added that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to seek to attract international mega sports events to Hong Kong, further promote the local sports industry, enhance professionalism and industrialisation, and leverage large-scale events to boost sports tourism, related support services and relevant innovative services, all with a view to building a more comprehensive sports industry ecosystem.
The Hong Kong SAR Government will also continue to promote sports at the community and school levels, increase and optimise sports and recreational facilities, and encourage all sectors to jointly cultivate a strong sporting culture, Mr Chan said.
He stressed that the historic results achieved by Hong Kong athletes in the 15th NG present a golden opportunity for Hong Kong’s sports development, and explained that the Hong Kong SAR Government will work together with all sectors to convert that success into long-term momentum, improve local sports standards and promote a culture of sports for all. This will position sports as a vital force in uniting society and enriching cultural life, thereby benefitting ordinary people, he said.
Mr Chan added that hosting the 15th NG has not only elevated the international image of the entire GBA, but will also result in substantial and lasting benefits in areas such as infrastructure, talent development and regional collaboration. These outcomes will continue to exert a positive influence and inject new momentum into Hong Kong’s long-term development, he said.
He stated that world-class facilities such as the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) are significant platforms for promoting Hong Kong’s sports and tourism industries. The KTSP hosted rugby sevens, handball and fencing events during the 15th NG, demonstrating its ability to host international competitions. In particular, the Kai Tak Stadium, which accommodates 50,000 spectators, significantly enhances Hong Kong’s competitiveness in hosting large-scale competitions.
The Chief Secretary remarked that the NG fully demonstrated Hong Kong’s capabilities in event organisation and management. In preparing for the games, he said, Hong Kong cultivated a group of professionals who have a global perspective and will continue to play key roles promoting and supporting the development of Hong Kong’s sports industry. In addition, the Hong Kong competition region appointed over 16,000 volunteers, forming the largest-ever event volunteer team, a powerful social force that establishes a solid societal foundation for Hong Kong’s long-term sports development.
Mr Chan underlined that the 15th NG has significantly enhanced the overall international image and influence of the GBA, further solidified Hong Kong’s status within the international sports arena, and generated tangible benefits in areas such as tourism promotion and talent attraction. He said these achievements will greatly contribute to Hong Kong’s development. foster regional integration and promote cultural exchanges and trade collaboration in the GBA.
He added that Hong Kong will maintain close co-operation with the GASC to further promote the joint development of the sports industry in the GBA and attract more major events, thereby contributing to the establishment of a world-class bay area and the country’s efforts to become a sporting powerhouse.
Other officials attending today’s press conference included GASC Deputy Director Tong Lixin; Vice President of the Organising Committee of the 15th NG and Standing Committee member of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Wang Xi; and Vice President of the Organising Committee of the 15th NG and Secretary for Social Affairs & Culture of the Macau Special Administrative Region Government O Lam.