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Preparations for the 4th Hong Kong Games (HKG) got into full swing today (February 4) with the 18 Districts' Pledging Ceremony at Kowloon Park Arcade, Tsim Sha Tsui, under the tagline "Let's have Fun at the Games!"
Officiating at the ceremony, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, said the Hong Kong Games provided opportunities for amateur athletes in the districts to unleash their potential and helped foster a strong sporting culture in the community.
Mr Tsang called on members of the public to support the HKG, saying that apart from competing in the Games they could also cheer for the athletes at the events or join related community activities.
He added that the Games not only helped identify budding athletes but fostered a sense of belonging in the community and enhanced communications among various districts, contributing to the building of a harmonious society.
The 4th HKG, to be staged between April 27 and June 2, covers eight competition events, namely athletics, badminton, basketball, futsal, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. Each district forms its own team to compete in the Games, with over 3 000 athletes joining the Games in total.
To encourage participation at the district level and help create a competitive atmosphere, in addition to the overall champion, first runner-up and second runner-up, in each of the eight sports competitions there will be trophies such "District with the Greatest Participation", "District with the Most Gold Medals", "District with the Best Progress", and the newly-added "District with the Strongest Cheering Squad".
Speaking at the pledging ceremony, the Chairman of the 4th HKG Organising Committee, Mr William Tong, noted that district teams had stepped up training activities to gear up their athletes for the competitions.
He said each District Council would soon appeal to community groups, schools and the public to support their athletes in the Games and to take part in various community activities organised in connection with the Games.
Today's ceremony marked the commencement of a series of activities leading up to the Games. They include a cheering team competition among the 18 districts, elite athletes' demonstrations and exchanges, the "Dynamic Moments Photo Contest" and a large-scale opening ceremony. Members of the public can also take part in the competitions to vote for "My Favourite Sporty District" and guess the "Overall Champion of the 4th HKG".
A new 30-second API (Announcement in the Public Interest), to be broadcast on TV stations to rally public support for this major local sports event, was also premiered at the ceremony.
The Organising Committee has appointed eight elite athletes as 4th HKG Sports Ambassadors to help promote the Games. They are Ng Ka-fung (athletics), Wong Wing-ki (badminton), Lee Ki (basketball), Yip Tsz-chun (futsal), Wong Kai-wai (swimming), Li Ching (table tennis), Yeung Pak-long (tennis) and Lam Ka-ching (volleyball).
A publicity drive was also launched at the ceremony, which will include the display of banners and posters at various locations throughout the territory; broadcasting the promotional video at Leisure and Cultural Service Department (LCSD)'s venues, buses and MTR trains; billboard advertising; and dissemination of HKG messages through the Internet, newspaper, radio and television stations.
Also officiating at today's ceremony were the President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF & OC), Mr Timothy Fok; Legislative Councillor, Mr Ip Kwok-him; Executive Adviser of the 4th HKG Organising Committee, Mr Chau How-chen; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mrs Betty Fung. Representatives of the 18 District Councils and relevant National Sports Associations also attended the event to show their support.
The 4th HKG is organised by the Sports Commission and co-ordinated by the Community Sports Committee. The 18 District Councils, the SF & OC, relevant National Sports Associations and the LCSD are co-organisers. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is the "Principal Contributor" for the event.
Details of the 4th HKG and various community activities are available on the dedicated homepage at www.hongkonggames.hk.
Ends/Monday, February 4, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:32
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