The Hong Kong Games is back to share the fun of sports with the community

Organised by the Sports Commission and coordinated by the Community Sports Committee, the biennial Hong Kong Games (HKG) is a territory-wide major sports event promoting sportsmanship among the 18 Districts. In addition to upholding the spirit of ‘Sports for All’ across different communities, the HKG aims at strengthening the public’s sense of belonging, bringing people together to facilitate communication and fostering friendship through sports.

The Sports Commission held a launching event last Friday to kick off this major local sports event. “After a long wait, we are thrilled to finally bring back the Games and offer our athletes a chance to compete once again,” Professor Patrick Yung, Chairman of the 9th HKG Organising Committee, said in his opening address.

Also attending the launching event were Mr. William Tong and Mr. David Yip, Executive Advisers of the Organising Committee; Mr. Eric Fok, Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee; and Mr. Benjamin Hung, Assistant Director of the Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure Services).

Sport is for everyone

Co-organisers of the HKG include the Home Affairs Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, and relevant national sports associations. The district athlete selection for the 9th HKG will take place from this July to January of next year, while the inter-district sports competitions are scheduled to be held from 21 April to 9 June 2024.

The inter-district sports competitions will feature a dazzling array of eight sports events: athletics, badminton, futsal, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball, and the newly added 3-on-3 basketball competition to replace the 5-on-5 basketball game.

To offer more opportunities for athletes across various age groups, the age requirements for individual sports events in athletics, swimming, badminton, table tennis and tennis have been updated to include three distinct age categories: 15 or below, 16 to 17, and 18 and above.

To champion the inclusivity of sports among people with disabilities, the HKG will be organising competitions including wheelchair basketball, boccia, swimming, and table tennis for people with disabilities.

Fun and enjoyment

In addition to sports competitions, an exciting range of community participation programmes is well underway. Members of the public can look forward to joining the ‘Star-studded Classroom – Elite Athletes’ Demonstration and Exchange Programmes to learn about different sports; they can attend a Sports Seminar, and join the 18 Districts’ Pledging cum Cheering Team Competition, the Vitality Run, the ‘Sports Legacy – Exercise to Get Super Fit’ to test their fitness levels; and discover the fun in various sports, as well as the HKG Opening and Closing Ceremonies, photo contest, and guessing games.

As part of the demonstration events at the HKG, women’s futsal, breaking, sport climbing and skateboarding will be showcased alongside eight other sports featured at the HKG. To encourage youngsters to take part in sports, schools will be invited to arrange the ‘Hong Kong Games Run and Exercise Together’ during their athletes meet, where students, teachers and parents can run or carry out the ‘Hong Kong Games Fitness Exercise’ to the joyous beats of the HKG theme song.

Cheering Larry, the mascot of the HKG which won in the public mascot vote in the previous HKG, will also appear in publicity and community participation programmes, cheering on the athletes as they jostle for trophies in a raft of sports categories.

Another highlight of this year will be the live streaming of the HKG finals competitions, allowing the public to share the joy and enjoy the Games at home.