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The Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Carrie Yau, today (December 19) presented the Hong Kong flag to the 35-member Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Delegation to the 11th National Winter Games of the PRC to be held in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province, from January 18-28, 2008.
The delegation, comprising 26 athletes and nine staff members, will participate in three events, including figure skating, short track speed skating and ice hockey.
Officiating at the flag presentation ceremony at the Festival Walk Glacier, Mrs Yau said it was an honour for Hong Kong to be invited to participate in the Games to exchange skills with athletic elite from various provinces and cities of the Mainland. She firmly believed that Hong Kong athletes would demonstrate their sportsmanship and hard-fought spirit that would win honour for Hong Kong.
The National Winter Games is the largest winter multi-sports event on the Mainland and is held every four years. Its aim is to train sports talent across the country. A total of 35 delegations from various municipalities and the HKSAR and Macau SAR will take part in this year's 11 sports games and it is the third time the HKSAR has participated.
Also officiating at today's flag presentation ceremony were the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the HKSAR Delegation, Mr Timothy Fok; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Thomas Chow, who is also the vice-chairman of the organising committee.
Ends/Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:12
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