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A countdown ceremony for the 3rd Hong Kong Games (HKG) was held at Kowloon Park Arcade today (April 19) to mark the upcoming launch of the Games. The Under Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Florence Hui, called on members of the public to take an active part by attending the Games.
Officiating at the countdown ceremony for the 3rd HKG, Ms Hui said that as an important part of Sport-for-All, the biennial HKG identifies and nurtures high-calibre athletes.
She added that the number of athletes fielded by the 18 District Councils to compete in eight sports of the Games has exceeded 3 000, the highest among the three HKG.
The 3rd HKG will be officially held between May 14 and June 5 this year. Preliminary competitions for some of the sports have been taking place since March 26. Athletes fielded by the 18 districts of Hong Kong are preparing for and participating in the competitions in eight sports: athletics, badminton, basketball, table tennis, swimming, tennis, futsal and volleyball.
The Chairman of the 3rd HKG Organising Committee, Mr Chau How-chen, unveiled the latest progress of the Games. He said that to encourage active preparation by the athletes of the 18 districts, various sessions of elite athletes' demonstrations and exchanges were held from March to early April this year. A spectacular 18-district cheering team competition was also held on March 20 to cheer on the district athletes.
Mr Chau said that in addition to the cheering team competition, community participation activities had been underway which included voting for "My Favourite Sporty District" and guessing the "Overall Champion of the third HKG". People can cast their votes and submit their guesses before the deadline on May 14.
A theme song, "Come On Games On", the first theme song ever produced to further promote the Games, was performed by local pop singer Miss Joey Yung at today's countdown ceremony. The latest version of a promotional video was also premiered at the ceremony, and will be broadcast on radio and television, buses and trains, as well as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) venues to enhance the Games' ambience.
The opening ceremony of the 3rd HKG will be held at Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground on May 14. Special programmes include performances by the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, and a variety show featuring Miss Joey Yung, Mr Ken Hung and The Voice. Beijing 2008 Olympic Games gold medallist of the men's all-around individual gymnastics, Mr Yang Wei, and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games gold winner of horizontal bar and floor exercises, Mr Zou Kai, will take part in lighting the Cauldron of the Games as special guests.
Free admission tickets will be available at the District Leisure Services Offices of the LCSD in the 18 districts from April 26. Each person may obtain only two tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets to the opening ceremony for community organisations, students of primary and secondary schools and their parents will be arranged through the 18 District Councils and the LCSD. Members of the public who get free admission tickets are advised to make good use of the tickets and be there to be part of this major sports event of Hong Kong.
The 3rd HKG is organised by the Sports Commission and co-ordinated by the Community Sports Committee with the 18 District Councils, the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF & OC), relevant National Sports Associations and the LCSD as co-organisers. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is the "Principal Contributor" while the Yuen Yuen Institute is the "Major Sponsor".
Also officiating at the countdown ceremony were the President of SF & OC, Mr Timothy Fok; the Honorary President of the 3rd HKG Organising Committee, Mr Ip Kwok-him; the Chairman of the Community Sports Committee, Mr William Tong; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mrs Betty Fung. The Executive Director of Charities of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the "Principal Contributor", Mr Douglas So; the Assistant Director (TV) of Radio Television Hong Kong, Mr Cheung Man-sun; the Games' Ambassadors Miss Rosanna Sze and Mr Hui Pui-tak; and representatives of the 18 District Councils and the National Sports Association also attended.
Details of the 3rd HKG and its related activities are available at the dedicated homepage: hongkonggames.lcsd.gov.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:26
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