*******************************************************
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, attended the opening ceremony of the 12th National Games in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, today (August 31) to cheer for the Hong Kong athletes.
The opening ceremony was held at the Shenyang Olympic Sports Centre Stadium this afternoon. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delegation marched into the venue with wushu athlete Miss Geng Xiaoling as the flag bearer.
The 12th National Games is organised by the General Administration of Sport of China and undertaken by the People's Government of Liaoning Province. Held once every four years, the National Games is the most high-level and biggest multi-sport event on the Mainland. Elite athletes from provinces, cities and Special Administrative Regions are gathering in Liaoning Province to compete in the Games.
There are a total of 31 events in the 12th National Games. The HKSAR delegation has sent 223 athletes to take part in 20 final competitions, namely aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, fencing, golf, gymnastics, men's handball, judo, rugby, windsurfing, shooting, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, beach volleyball and wushu taolu.
Hong Kong athletes won two gold, one silver and four bronze medals at the 11th National Games held in Jinan, Shandong Province, in 2009.
Mr Tsang will watch the Hong Kong athletes take part in the wushu and mountain bike races tomorrow morning (September 1) before leaving for Hong Kong in the afternoon.
Ends/Saturday, August 31, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:26
NNNN
