8th Hong Kong Games launches with athlete selection and mascot voting (with photos)
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The Chairman of the 8th HKG Organising Committee, Mr Yip Wing-shing, announced details of the 8th HKG in a press conference today (June 26).
"In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, district athlete selection for the 8th HKG has been slightly postponed until September. We will closely monitor the latest situation and make appropriate arrangements to launch athlete selection and publicity work when the spread of infection is under control," Mr Yip said.
Three categories of mascots have been designed to further promote the Games. Members of the public can vote at the HKG website to select their favourite design from today until July 31. The design with the highest number of votes will become the HKG mascot.
The HKG comprises eight sports competitions, namely athletics, badminton, basketball, futsal, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball.
To promote sports participation by people with disabilities, Mr Yip added, competitions of wheelchair basketball and swimming for people with intellectual disabilities will continue to be held as in the past. In addition, the 8th HKG will introduce competitions of boccia and table tennis for people with intellectual disabilities. Demonstration events of three-on-three basketball and women's futsal will also be held to enhance public understanding of the sports events.
The 18 districts will carry out open selection of athletes to represent their districts from September this year to February 2021. Each participant can only enrol in selection for one district and is required to present proof of place of residence during enrolment.
To encourage members of the public to support and participate in the HKG in different ways, the 8th HKG will continue to hold a variety of community participation programmes. A new obstacle race for parents and children will be held during the popular Vitality Run so that the whole family can join to share the fun of sports. Other activities will include elite athletes' demonstration and exchange programmes, sports seminars, Sports Legacy - Exercise to Get Super Fit, the HKG 8-minute School Vitality Run, the 18 districts' pledging and cheering team competition, a photo contest and guessing activities.
Nine elite athletes have been appointed as the Sports Ambassadors for the 8th HKG to promote the Games. They are Lui Lai-yiu (athletics), Yeung Pui-lam (badminton), Tsai Choi-kwan (basketball), Li Ka-chun (futsal), Claudia Lau (swimming), Soo Wai-yam (table tennis), Brian Yeung (tennis), Chim Wing-lam (volleyball) and Chong Kung-yuen (sports competition for people with intellectual disabilities).
The HKG is a biennial major multi-sport event with the 18 District Councils as participating units. It aims to encourage the public to actively participate in sports events, enhance communication among districts, strengthen the public's sense of belonging to their districts and build community cohesion.
The HKG is organised by the Sports Commission and co-ordinated by the Community Sports Committee, with the 18 District Councils; the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD); the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China; and relevant National Sports Associations as co-organisers.
The press conference was held at Kowloon Park Sports Centre. Also present were the Executive Adviser of the Organising Committee, Mr William Tong; the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Professor Patrick Yung; and the Assistant Director (Leisure Services) of the LCSD, Mr Benjamin Hung.
Details of the 8th HKG are available at the dedicated website www.hongkonggames.hk.
Ends/Friday, June 26, 2020
Issued at HKT 15:00
Issued at HKT 15:00
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