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The grand opening of the 3rd Hong Kong Games (HKG) was held at Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground tonight (May 14). More than 3,000 athletes from the 18 districts will compete in the Games over the next three weeks, demonstrating their sporting prowess by vying for the honours.
The ceremony started at 8pm when the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, declared the Games officially open.
Holding a HKG flag aloft, eight elite athletes representing the eight sports of the 3rd HKG led the athletes and teams of the 18 districts on a colourful parade into Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground.
The various teams displayed their vitality with choreographed movements, slogans and colourful outfits, cheering for their districts and adding fun to the ceremony.
Addressing the audience and athletes after the flag raising ceremony, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, said the Government attached great importance to sport development and had increased resources to promote a strong sporting culture in the community, to help elite athletes to strive for excellence, and to upgrade Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events.
The HKG is a territory-wide major multi-sport event held biennially since 2007 with the 18 districts as participating units. Staged from today until June 5, this year's Games will be contested by over 3,000 athletes in eight sports: athletics, badminton, basketball, table tennis, swimming, tennis, futsal and volleyball.
Mr Tsang Tak-sing said that a variety of activities had been organised through different channels to encourage the public to take part, adding that the HKG this year, whether in terms of number of sports, number of athletes or the scope of the Games, has increased.
After the Chief Executive had officially declared the opening of the Games, one of the overall champions of the 2nd HKG, from Yuen Long district, took an oath on behalf of all the participating athletes in the Games.
The HKG torches, lit by the President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF & OC), Mr Timothy Fok, and the Honorary President of the 3rd HKG Organising Committee, Mr Ip Kwok-him, were passed to the Chairman of the 3rd HKG Organising Committee, Mr Chau How-chen, and the Chairman of the Community Sports Committee, Mr William Tong, then passed again to two elite athletes, Miss Yip Pui-yin and Mr Chiu Chung-hei, to start a relay.
Upon completion of the relay, comprising ten parts of which the athletes of the 18 districts took up nine, the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games gold medallist of the men's all-round individual gymnastics, Mr Yang Wei, and gold medallist of horizontal bar and floor exercises, Mr Zou Kai, lit the Cauldron of the Games.
A large-scale variety show followed. The officiating guests, the representatives of the 18 District Councils and the Principal Contributor, the Hong Kong Jockey Club dotted the eyes of the dragons and lions for a dance performance. This was followed by a show featuring the HKG theme song, "Come on Games On" by pop singer Miss Joey Yung, as well as performances by Mr Raymond Lam, Mr Ken Hung and Miss Mag Lam of the Voice.
The climax of the ceremony involved a grand performance by the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison including military music and rifle squad march.
Highlights of the Opening Ceremony were broadcast on TVB-Jade at 10.30pm on the same night.
The Closing cum Prize Presentation Ceremony of the 3rd HKG will be held at the Kowloon Park Sports Centre on June 5.
Members of the public are invited to watch the various sports competitions, to be held at various sports venues of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) starting tomorrow. Details of the dates and venues can be found on the dedicated webpages of the 3rd HKG (hongkonggames.lcsd.gov.hk).
The 3rd HKG is organised by the Sports Commission and co-ordinated by the Community Sports Committee with the 18 District Councils, the SF & OC, relevant National Sports Associations and the LCSD as co-organisers. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is the "Principal Contributor", while the Yuen Yuen Institute is "Major Sponsor" for the event.
Ends/Saturday, May 14, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:35
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