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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Delegation to the Inaugural Asian Indoor Games (AIG) in Bangkok was warmly congratulated today (November 20) for the brilliant results of snatching 12 gold, nine silver and five bronze medals and breaking six swimming Hong Kong record in the past week.
The President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), Mr Timothy Fok, its Vice-president, Mrs Vivien Fung, and the Chef de Mission of the Delegation, Mr Ronnie Wong, together with some members of the Delegation this morning returned to the Hong Kong International Airport where they were joined by the medalists who came back earlier.
At the airport they received the warm welcome and congratulation from the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Anissa Wong, and the Honorary Secretary General of the SF&OC, Mr Pang Chung and other representatives of the SF&OC.
Ms Wong said the Government had all along supported sports development in Hong Kong. By sending our athletes to take part in international competitions of various scales, this would enable them to build up competition experience and learn from other international counterparts.
Noting that the brilliant results achieved by the Delegation to the 1st AIG were very encouraging, Ms Wong urged our elite athletes to continue with their sustained efforts and achieve even better results in future competitions including the Asian Games next year, the 2008 Olympic Games and the 2009 East Asian Games in Hong Kong.
Among the 37 participant countries/territories, the Hong Kong Delegation ranked fourth in the Medals List. Our athletes snatched 12 gold medals in 25-metre short-course swimming, indoor athletics and indoor cycling; nine silvers in 25-metre short-course swimming, extreme sports - sports climbing and indoor cycling; and five bronzes in 25-metre short-course swimming and indoor cycling.
The AIG is a new biennial multi-sports game initiated by the Olympic Council of Asia for its 45 member countries/territories.
The 1st AIG was held in Bangkok from November 12 to 19. A total of 37 countries/territories took part in the Games.
Nine sports, including aerobics, indoor athletics, indoor cycling, dance sports, extreme sports, futsal, hoop takraw, muay and wai-kru, and 25-metre short-course swimming were held this year.
Ends/Sunday, November 20, 2005
Issued at HKT 16:50
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