Hong Kong's record-breaking athletes were honoured with over HK$11 million in awards at the 15th National Games Hong Kong Medallists Raceday at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Citizens flocked to the Sha Tin Racecourse to witness the cheque presentation ceremony for the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (JCAIAS).
Among the medal-winning athletes, cyclist Ceci Lee Sze-wing, the city's first athlete to claim three gold medals at a single National Games, received HK$2.25 million in cash incentives.
Reflecting on her journey, Lee credited her success to the support of teammates and coaches following the Paris Olympics and expressed gratitude for public encouragement.
Hong Kong's “flying fish” Siobhan Haughey, who won two golds and two bronzes, was awarded a total of HK$1.8 million.
Returning to competition after a back injury, Haughey expressed delight at racing alongside younger teammates and hoped for further breakthroughs for Hong Kong swimming.
The ceremony also featured gold medalist fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long, who shared his plans to save his bonus for a rainy day.
He praised the city's sports infrastructure, noting that the successful hosting of the National Games demonstrated the city's capacity to stage larger international events.
Regarding his career, the Olympic champion stated he has no plans to retire and is setting his sights on medal success at this year's Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, both for himself and the team.
Meanwhile, bronze medalist fencer Kaylin Hsieh Sin-yan shared that she was congratulated by former teammate and now lawmaker Vivian Kong Man-wai, during the ceremony.
Another gold medalist fencer Ryan Choi Chun-yin also extended his respect and best wishes for Kong's new career path.
Government praise for unprecedented achievement
Speaking at the ceremony, chief secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki expressed profound pride in the Hong Kong team's record haul of 19 medals, achieved by its largest-ever delegation of over 600 athletes.
He extended thanks to HKJC for its role as the sole Hong Kong partner of the National Games, ensuring the smooth execution of the events.
HKJC chairman Martin Liao Cheung-kong congratulated the athletes, hoping the rewards would inspire them to reach greater heights. He also reaffirmed HKJC's commitment to actively promoting the development of sports in Hong Kong.
Launched in 2023, the three-year JCAIAS sponsors the Hong Kong Sports Institute to provide cash awards to local athletes who excel in major competitions, with over HK$87 million in cash incentives has been granted to date.
