While the curtain has fallen on the 15th National Games, the thrill of competition still lingers: Hong Kong sports fans say they were deeply touched by the athletes’ passion and are eagerly looking forward to more large-scale events being staged in the city in the near future.

Marking its eighth appearance at the National Games, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region sent its largest-ever delegation to the high-level multisport gathering, with more than 600 athletes playing in 28 competition events, and another 760 attending 23 mass participation events.

The team’s performance stunned many, as it claimed 19 medals — nine golds, two silvers and eight bronzes —  making this the SAR’s most successful edition to date.

ALSO READ: Beyond the scoreboard

Alexis Lee, a Hong Kong sports fan, told China Daily that he was delighted with the results, and was particularly impressed by local favorite Coleman Wong Chak-lam’s remarkable performance in the men’s tennis singles semifinal against Zhejiang province’s Wu Yibing.

“Although the match wasn’t held in Hong Kong, it was so exciting and made me really nervous,” Lee said.

He also expressed hope that more sporting events can be held in the city. “If there are more home games, I think it would better motivate the athletes and greatly help boost Hong Kong’s sports industry.”

Another Hong Kong resident, Benny Chan Ka-yau, said he was most amazed by cycling ace Ceci Lee Sze-wing, who clinched three gold medals, in the women's road race, the women’s Madison, and the women’s omnium.

With a total four gold medals in the 2021 and this year’s National Games, the 24-year-old Lee has now surpassed cycling veteran Wong Kam-po for the most gold medals won by a Hong Kong athlete in the games.

Chan said the men’s handball team also moved him deeply. The squad, made up entirely of amateur players — some of whom quit their full-time jobs to prepare for the games — finished fourth after a 25-33 loss to Beijing in the bronze-medal match. Yet the result still marked Hong Kong’s best-ever finish in the competition.

“Not many people would be willing to give up earning money to pursue something so costly and with such little payback,” Chan said, adding that he hopes the SAR government and related organizations will put more effort into supporting the growth of non-elite sports in Hong Kong.

READ MORE: A point to prove: HK's fencer Cheung elated after finally winning National Games gold

Lily Tse Siu-lee, a supervisor of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, said taking the stage at the National Games carries great significance for both Hong Kong’s athletes and young generations.

“The Hong Kong team showcased more than just their achievements on the scoreboard,” Tse said. “It also demonstrated how more young athletes broke their own records with enterprising spirit and professional attitudes, while igniting local residents’ passion for sports.”

These experiences would serve as an inspiring example and a source of motivation for the future development of youth sports and the sporting culture in Hong Kong, she added.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Friday that the athletes’ perseverance and sportsmanship have made the city’s residents, including him, “deeply encouraged, moved, and proud”.

He said the HKSAR government has spared no effort in advancing sports development and the industry through a range of policies, including promoting sports in the community, supporting elite sports, and maintaining the city as a center for major international sports events.

“The government will leverage the successful experience of the 15th National Games and continue to promote sports development through different initiatives,” Lee added.

Eric Chan Kwok-ki, the Hong Kong chief secretary for administration and the vice-president of the games’ organizing committee, said the historic results present “a golden opportunity” for Hong Kong. He vowed to continue attracting more international mega sports events to the city, promoting the local sports industry, and leveraging the events to boost sports tourism.

“The government will work together with all sectors to convert the success of the National Games into long-term momentum, further improving local sports standards and promoting a culture of 'sports for all',” Chan said.