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A new page in the sports annals of Hong Kong will be written on April 21 when the 1st Hong Kong Games opens with a spectacular ceremony at Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground.
Chinese Olympic gold medallists Xu Haifeng (shooting, 1984) and Deng Yaping (table tennis, 1992 and 1996) will attend the ceremony as special guests.
This was disclosed by the chairman of the Organising Committee of the Games, Mr Chau How-chen, at a press conference today (March 29).
Mr Chau said the ceremony would feature the march-in of some 1,200 athletes from the 18 districts, a cheering team competition, the lighting of the torch, pyrotechnics, as well as performances by the mainland musical ensemble China Flowers and local pop stars like Eason Chan, Joey Yung, Leo Ku and Justin Lo.
Free admission tickets for the opening ceremony will be distributed at all District Leisure Services Offices of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department from April 12 on a first-come, first-served basis. Each person may obtain two tickets at most.
Competitions in the four sports of the Games - athletics, badminton, basketball and table tennis – will be held until May 6, with the 18 District Councils as participating units.
The 18 District Councils have fielded 1,265 athletes - 436 in athletics, 229 in badminton, 359 in basketball and 241 in table tennis.
At today's press conference, representatives of the District Councils drew lots to decide the fixture of the team games (files attached).
Also announced at the press conference were the interim results of a guessing game and a voting game launched earlier this month, which showed Central and Western to be the district most people think would be the Overall Champion of the 1st Hong Kong Games and also the district most likely to be voted "My Favourite Sporty District".
But the guess and voting games are continuing and the public can still make their guesses, cast their votes and win Swiss Buler watches of up to $5,000 apiece.
Entry forms for the guessing game and voting tickets for the voting game are available at all District Leisure Services Offices and sports centres of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Completed entry forms and tickets should be put into collection boxes at those places on or before April 21. Multiple entries are allowed.
The 1st Hong Kong Games are organised by the Sports Commission and co-ordinated by its Community Sports Committee with support from the 18 District Councils, the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, relevant National Sports Associations, the Home Affairs Bureau and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
Ends/Thursday, March 29, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:08
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