Sai Ying Pun media hub set for National Games

The Hong Kong government is gearing up for the 15th National Games by transforming the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre into the event's Main Media Centre, a move that will require phased closures of the facility starting June 1.

Scheduled to take place from November 9 to 21, the games will see Hong Kong host several competitions, including fencing, golf, track cycling, and rugby sevens.

According to documents submitted to the Central and Western District Council by the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau, the MMC will serve as the nerve center for media operations during the event.

Facility upgrades and temporary closures

To accommodate the MMC, the sports center, its adjacent parking lots, and sections of the nearby waterfront promenade will undergo temporary closures in stages beginning June 1. 

The upgrades will include enhancements to the venue's electrical supply, ventilation, lighting, and network systems to meet the demands of international broadcasters and journalists.

The MMC will be divided into two key areas: the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) and the Main Press Centre (MPC).

The IBC will function as the central hub for broadcasting, aggregating live feeds from competition venues across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao before distributing them to authorized media outlets.

Meanwhile, the MPC will provide registered media and broadcasters with workspaces, interview zones, press conference rooms, and essential equipment such as computers, printers, and high-speed internet.

Showcasing Hong Kong’s iconic scenery

Authorities highlighted the MMC’s prime location near Victoria Harbour, offering journalists a picturesque backdrop for their reports.

The move presents an excellent opportunity to promote Hong Kong’s iconic scenery to audiences both overseas and on the mainland, helping to tell the Hong Kong story effectively, according to authorities.

To facilitate media coverage, shuttle bus services will be available to transport journalists between competition venues. Additionally, temporary traffic controls will be implemented along a 150-meter stretch of Eastern Street North near Connaught Road West starting in early October to ensure smooth operations.

In line with the games' green initiatives, the Transport Coordination Command Centre in Hong Kong - located on the 7th and 8th floors of the Rumsey Street Multi-storey Car Park - will deploy all-electric vehicles for athlete and official transport.

The car park’s central location and proximity to the Western Harbour Tunnel make it an ideal logistics hub for accessing venues across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories, the document read.

(Marco Lam)