Following is a question by the Hon Vincent Cheng and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Jack Chan, in the Legislative Council today (February 23):

Question:

     The Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao will co-host the 15th National Games (National Games) in 2025. It has been reported that the General Administration of Sport of China indicated earlier that it was pressing ahead at full steam with the relevant early-stage preparatory work, and would let Hong Kong and Macao have the priority to choose the competition events that they intend to host. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it has commenced discussions with the authorities of Guangdong and Macao on the preparatory work for the National Games, including the arrangements for the opening and closing ceremonies, division of work in respect of competition events and the financial arrangements; if so, of the details; if not, whether it has drawn up the relevant timetable;

(2) whether it will set up a working group on the National Games to specifically take charge of the preparatory work for the National Games and co-ordinate the co-operation among the authorities of the three places;

(3) as it has been reported that the Commissioner for Sports indicated earlier that the Government would strive to host competition events of the National Games such as badminton, fencing, table tennis, windsurfing and football, and it would consider making use of the Hong Kong Velodrome located in Tseung Kwan O as the venue for cycling competition events, of the progress of the relevant work; and

(4) whether it has consulted the sports sector on the details of hosting the National Games (e.g. the competition events that Hong Kong intends to host, venue facilities and the relevant support arrangements); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that and whether it will consider doing so?

Reply:

President,

     The National Games, held once every four years, is the nation's highest level and largest national multi-sports event. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government is grateful for the trust and support of the Central Government in announcing on August 26, 2021 its agreement for the 15th National Games to be hosted by Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao in 2025. This is a significant initiative to promote Hong Kong's sports development after the distinguished achievements of the Hong Kong, China Delegation at the Tokyo Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. We will spare no effort to work closely with the relevant ministries of the Central Government, the Guangdong Province and the Macao SAR Government and conduct the preparatory work for the 15th National Games in 2025 according to the Central Government's requirement of organising a "simple, safe and wonderful" event. 

     Since the announcement of the hosting of the 15th National Games by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, the Hong Kong SAR Government has been in close liaison with the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC), the People's Government of Guangdong Province and the Macao SAR Government. A meeting by video conference was held before the end of last year to commence the preparatory work. It was agreed by all parties involved that a preparatory working group should be formed in 2022 to discuss the various work arrangements for the 15th National Games.

     More than 30 competitive events are expected to be featured at the National Games, including all Olympic sports events and Wushu. We will apply to host a number of competitive events in Hong Kong, taking into account various factors such as the existing sports facilities in Hong Kong and the soon-to-be-commissioned Kai Tak Sports Park, the experience and capability of Hong Kong in hosting the relevant events, the events' popularity in the community and the competitiveness of Hong Kong athletes. While the GASC and the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have exchanged preliminary views, the division of work on the events is yet to be decided at this stage. Meanwhile, a number of local national sports associations have expressed interests in hosting their relevant events in Hong Kong. We will continue to communicate closely with the sports community and disseminate news on the preparatory work in a timely manner.

Ends/Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Issued at HKT 11:30

NNNN