The final preparations for next month’s 15th National Games are advancing smoothly, with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government sparing no effort to ensure that everything is set for this major national sports event, organizers said Monday.
Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki convened a meeting of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Organising Committee of the 15th National Games to review the preparations for the games, which will be jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
Noting that the preparatory work has entered the final sprint stage, Chan said the Hong Kong SAR government will work hand in hand with Guangdong and Macao to deliver “simple, safe and wonderful” games.
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The first two competition events in Hong Kong--the beach volleyball in Victoria Park and handball at the Kai Tak Arena, Kai Tak Sports Park--are set to start on Oct 31 and Nov 1, respectively.
The cross-boundary road cycling (men’s individual) event, which connects Zhuhai, Hong Kong and Macao, will take place on Nov 8.
Chan said the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games are not only about sports competitions, but also an occasion to showcase cooperation and development in the Greater Bay Area.
While looking forward to welcoming athletes from the country and spectators from around the world, Chan also encouraged Hong Kong residents to buy tickets, cheer for athletes in person, and witness this mega sports event taking place in Hong Kong for the first time.
Organizers expect that, from late October to December, a total of around 4,000 people, comprising of over 2,100 athletes, 1,000 delegation officials and 800 technical officials, will officially participate in the events in Hong Kong.
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Several hundred journalists will also descend on Hong Kong to cover the competitions.
To prepare for the games, over 16,000 people have been appointed as volunteers in Hong Kong, including 1,000 youth volunteers.
They will provide will services, including arrival, departure and hotel reception, and presentation ceremony support.
The organizing committee has joined hands with the Transport Department, the Hong Kong Police Gorce and the relevant departments to inspect every competition venue and hotel, and formulate traffic and transport plans.
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Dedicated immigration channels will be set up at four designated boundary control points--Hong Kong International Airport, West Kowloon High Speed Rail Station, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Shenzhen Bay Port--to facilitate immigration and clearance for delegations, technical officials and media representatives.
Transportation services to and from 10 hotels across Hong Kong will also be provided.
The three local free television broadcasters and Radio Television Hong Kong have also been conferred broadcasting rights so that members of the public can watch the games for free on television.