The Hong Kong Games opened on Sunday – the first time the multisport event has been held in five years.
Sunday’s ceremony at Hung Hom Bay’s Coliseum saw an 18-district cheering team competition, as well as lion dancing, breakdancing, skateboarding, wushu, Latin dance, variety shows by elite athletes, and musical performances.
The competition – which runs under the slogan “Our City, Our Games” – has been held every two years, except in 2022 when the games were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Events include athletics, badminton, 3-on-3 basketball, futsal, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball.
At the Coliseum, wushu athlete Samuel Hui, table tennis stars Minnie Soo and Ding Ning, and badminton player Wang Yilyu took part in a torch relay and lit the cauldron together.
Addressing the crowd, Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Raistlin Lau said that athletes would have a chance to showcase their talent, as he urged the public to cheer them on. “This year, the Hong Kong Games has entered its ninth session. I know that in the next two months, there will be more than 4,600 athletes competing in eight events and a total of more than 1,000 games,” Lau said.
The inter-district contest will run until June 9, with key finals broadcast on RTHK 32.
Hong Kong is to host eight competitions at next year’s National Games, alongside events in Macau and Guangdong.
