***********************************************************
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delegation won a total of seven medals, consisting of two gold, one silver and four bronze, at the 11th National Games, the highest number of medals Hong Kong has ever scored at the Games.
In honour of the Hong Kong athletes for their encouraging results in the Games, the Government hosted a welcome home ceremony at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui, this evening (November 10).
Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary for Home Affairs and the head of the HKSAR delegation to the 11th National Games, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, said that competing against top athletes from other provinces and cities, Hong Kong athletes' achievement in the Games was remarkable. Hong Kong took pride in their good results. They have also set a good example to the younger generation, he said.
Mr Tsang said that the National Games was the country's highest-level sports event. Competition in some of the events was as stiff as in those of the Asian Games and even the Olympic Games. It was encouraging that in competing with elite athletes from other provinces and cities, Hong Kong athletes had done their best and were among the top eight best performers in a number of sports events. Five new Hong Kong records in athletics and swimming were also set.
HKSAR has sent a delegation to the National Games since 1997 when the 8th National Games was held, and then the 9th and 10th National Games in 2001 and 2005 respectively. Having achieved one gold medal in the 8th National Games, the Hong Kong delegation recorded more outstanding results with two gold, two silver and one bronze medal in the 9th National Games. The Hong Kong team took one gold and three bronze medals in the 10th National Games.
Six of the medals at the 11th National Games were scored by Wong Kam-po, Patrick Lam, Chan Chun-hing, Alex John Hunter, Daniel Lee Chi-wo and Kenneth Cheng in the cycling, equestrian and triathlon events. An equestrian team formed by Patrick Lam, Samantha Lam, Kenneth Cheng and Jacqueline Lai won another medal in the jumping team event. (See Annex 1 for the medal results of the HKSAR delegation at the 11th National Games.)
A total of eight athletes broke the Hong Kong records in swimming events: the men's 100-metre butterfly; men's 200-metre butterfly; men's 200-metre freestyle; and men's 4x100m medley relay and 4 x 100 metres athletics relay. (See Annex 2 for sport events that broke Hong Kong records.)
Hong Kong athletes were also among the top eight best performers in the following sports: athletics, badminton, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, hockey, windsurfing, swimming, wushu (taolu), tennis and table tennis.
Looking forward, Mr Tsang said Hong Kong athletes would participate in various international sports events including the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou and the 2012 London Olympics. He said he believed that they would continue to do their utmost in meeting the challenges ahead and strive for the best results.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the HKSAR to the 11th National Games, Mr Timothy Fok, said as the hosts of the 5th East Asian Games (EAG), the Hong Kong athletes' outstanding performance at the 11th National Games was no doubt a great encouragement to them. He said he believed that they would attain more remarkable results in the EAG.
Also officiating at the ceremony was the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services and deputy head of the HKSAR delegation to the 11th National Games, Mrs Betty Fung. The three officiating guests presented commendation certificates to athletes achieving outstanding results at the 11th National Games.
Held every four years, the National Games is the highest-level multi-sports event held in the country. The 11th National Games were held in Shandong Province between October 16 and 28. About 230 Hong Kong athletes took part in 25 sports events, comprising swimming, water polo, athletics, badminton, baseball, boxing, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, fencing, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, sailing, windsurfing, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, weightlifting, wushu (taolu), short track speed skating and figure skating.
Ends/Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:40
NNNN
