Fok's Olympic broadcast wish

The government should consider purchasing the broadcast rights to the Paris Olympic Games next year - as it had done in 2021 - as sports can unite people, said Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, lawmaker and leader of the Hong Kong delegation to the Asian Games.

The SAR is sending its largest delegation of 680 athletes to compete in 41 events in Hangzhou's Asian Games, which officially open on Saturday.

Over 12,500 athletes from 45 countries and regions will participate in the Games.

Speaking on the radio yesterday, Fok said the media plays a key role in making sports an industry. He said that with the help of the media, the market expands as information is passed to the public.

Fok said sports has the potential to develop into an industry with the Olympics being a useful tool for achieving this.

"If the government purchases the broadcast rights, it can broadcast the Games on different channels. Since the government owns the rights, we can make videos of the Hong Kong athletes and national teams, produce programs and do promotions in schools," Fok said.

Commenting on the Asian Games, Fok expressed confidence that the Hong Kong team would make a further breakthrough after winning eight gold, 18 silver and 20 bronze medals in Jakarta in 2018.

"Our delegation is bigger this time," he said. "Also, this year's Games will be held in our country, in Hangzhou. We are more accustomed to the climate, food and accommodations than in the last Asian Games. Our athletes will have greater confidence."

Referring to the Kai Tai Sports Park due to be completed by the end of next year, Fok said he will grab the opportunities in Hangzhou to promote the facilities to other sports organizations to encourage them to organize international tournaments in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Meanwhile, Olympic gold medal-winning fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long and his teammate Ryan Choi Chun-yin open their campaign in the men's individual foil event on Sunday.

They will also lead hunt for gold in the men's team foil event next Wednesday, joined by Yeung Chi-ka and Nicholas Edward Choi Ho-yin.

"After the Tokyo Games, I have learned to stay relaxed and try to enjoy the game," Cheung said. "Of course, it would be great if I could perform well during the competition. But more importantly, I will not put too much pressure on myself."

Hong Kong defeated France in the men's team foil to win a gold in the Chengdu FISU University World Games last month.

Cheung described the victory as a major encouragement for the team.

"I hope the encouragement can last through the Asian Games, and the public can continue to support the fencing team, as well as the rest of the Hong Kong delegation," he said.

Nicholas Choi was upbeat about Hangzhou, saying: "As long as we do our best, I am confident that we can win in the Games. We won a silver medal in the last Games, and we hope that we can do a better job this time."

The 30-year-old retired shortly after the 2018 Asian Games but returned to the sport in April 2021 with an eye on the Paris Olympics.

Choi said he would treasure the opportunity to participate in the Games as it was a rare opportunity, pledging to treat every competition as the last game of his career.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com