The National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO) held a Volunteer Recognition Ceremony of the 15th National Games (NG), the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD), and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) to praise the dedication and excellent performance of all volunteers from the test events through to the main Games, who collectively built this sporting mega-event.
In his speech, Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki said that the successful and smooth running of all the events relied on the participation of more than 15,000 volunteers.
They accumulated over 360,000 service hours, both figures setting new records for Hong Kong. They brought warmth to the Games, showcasing Hong Kong's enthusiasm and efficiency.
The commendation ceremony was held at the Hong Kong Velodrome.
Officiating guests included the Chief Secretary for Administration, Eric Chan Kwok-ki; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Martin Liao Cheung-kong; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Rosanna Law Shuk-pui; the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Vivian Sum Fong-kwang; the head of the NGCO, Yeung Tak-keung; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Volunteers Association, Andy Kwok Wing-leung; and the Chairperson of the Agency for Volunteer Service, Melissa Kaye Pang.
Nearly 3,000 volunteer representatives attended the event. The commended volunteers and volunteer groups received warm applause and congratulations from those present.
In his speech, Chan stated that Hong Kong's ability to co-host the 15th NG, the 12th NGD, and the 9th NSOG is a testament to the nation's trust and support.
The complete success of the events in the Hong Kong competitive region was due not only to the concerted efforts of various government departments and all sectors of society and the support of the public, but also depended on a team of passionate volunteers.
He also thanked the Hong Kong Jockey Club for its full sponsorship of the Hong Kong Competitive Region's volunteer programme, as well as the Hong Kong Volunteers Association and the Agency for Volunteer Service for their assistance in recruiting, training, and managing the volunteer team.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman, Martin Liao Cheung-kong, said that the Club had allocated over HK$500 million to support the events in the Hong Kong and Guangdong Competitive Regions (HK$450 million for Hong Kong) and was the Partner Sponsor of the Hong Kong Competitive Region.
The Club's CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team also stepped up, dispatching nearly 100 volunteers to serve as volunteers in the Hong Kong Competitive Region, providing thoughtful support.
"As the volunteers gather again today, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to them. The Jockey Club will continue to cooperate with the government to build on the success of the National Games, deepen the integration of the Greater Bay Area, and contribute to the long-term development of Hong Kong and the country."
The ceremony kicked off with performances by members of the Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association, China, and the mascots of the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG, Xiyangyang and Lerongrong.
After the awarded volunteers and groups received their commendations on stage, some volunteers shared their personal stories.
Additionally, representatives from the Hong Kong men's handball team, which reached the semi-finals of the National Games, made a special appearance to interact with the audience and perform a song with the singers.
Cheung, who served as a volunteer supervisor for the basketball (Men's U22) event, is a member of the South China Athletic Association's handball team.
He had previously participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a volunteer, travelling to the capital with more than a dozen other Hong Kongers to support the volunteer work.
Cheung said he was delighted to see the improving performance of Hong Kong athletes and the increasing attention from the public and investment from the government in sports development, seeing it as a very positive trend.
The success of the National Games also proves that Hong Kong can host large-scale sporting events and that the efficiency, cohesion, and volunteer spirit of the Hong Kong people are worth passing on.
Wang from Qingdao travelled frequently between the two places.
She was involved in volunteer work while living on the Chinese mainland. During the volunteer training phase for the National Games, Wang flew back and forth five times.
Each one-way flight took about 3 hours, reaching a total distance of 18,000 kilometres—almost halfway around the globe.
However, she frankly stated that the distance did not deter her from serving as a National Games volunteer.
"Because opportunities for this kind of volunteer service are quite rare, when the chance arises, of course, I hope to be a part of it."
Lam, who served as a volunteer deputy supervisor for the wheelchair fencing event, is the mother of Hong Kong boccia team member Sean Cheung Kar-tung.
She expressed that it was a great honor to participate in the National Games alongside her son.
Witnessing and being a part of such a large-scale sporting event was a rare and happy experience.
During the Games, she also got to know a group of volunteer friends with whom she had kept in touch and had even arranged to meet up for dinner.
