Hong Kong will send its largest-ever delegation to compete at the upcoming National Games, with cash incentives for medalists raised by 50 percent – giving athletes who win individual golds HK$750,000 in the bank.
The SAR delegation held its flag presentation ceremony on Wednesday at Kowloon Park Sports Centre, where Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu officiated and presented the regional flag to Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, who also serves as the head of the delegation.
Lee wrote on social media that he hopes the athletes will give their best in every competition and achieve outstanding results.
Speaking at the ceremony, Law said the entire city will be cheering for the athletes and expressed confidence that they will push beyond their limits, achieve breakthroughs and bring pride to Hong Kong.
She noted that the delegation will be the city's largest in history, with more than 600 athletes and about 270 accompanying staff and medical personnel competing in 28 sports.
Including participants and staff in 23 mass participation events, the total size of the delegation will exceed 1,800 people.
Law emphasized that this year's National Games, which will be the first jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, are a milestone in deepening cooperation and integration within the Greater Bay Area. She also thanked the Hong Kong Jockey Club for its support in preparing the Hong Kong events and announced that the club has increased the budget for its Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme by 50 percent.
Individual gold medalists will be awarded HK$750,000, while teams winning gold will receive HK$1.5 million.
Silver medalists will receive HK$375,000 for individuals and HK$750,000 for teams, while bronze medalists will receive HK$150,000 and HK$300,000, respectively.
HKJC has allocated more than HK$500 million to support the Hong Kong and Guangdong events of the Games.
