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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will send a total of 27 athletes to participate in the 12th National Winter Games to be held in Jilin Province in January.
The Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Raymond Young, today (December 15) presented the Hong Kong flag to the HKSAR Delegation to the 12th National Winter Games.
Speaking at the flag presentation ceremony held at Mega Ice, Kowloon Bay, Mr Young said while Hong Kong did not have the advantage in the development of winter sports, it was an honour for Hong Kong athletes to take part in the games, exchanging skills and competing with athletes from various provinces and cities.
The National Winter Games, held every four years, is the largest winter multi-sports event of the highest standard in the country. It aims to train sports talents and enhance the standard of winter sports in the country.
The games this year will be held in Changchun and Jilin City, Jilin Province, from January 3 to 13. A total of 44 delegations from various provinces and cities will take part, with nearly 1,400 athletes competing in 12 sports events.
Hong Kong athletes will take part in four competition events, namely short-track speed skating, figure skating, alpine skiing and ice hockey. This is the fourth time for the HKSAR to take part in the National Winter Games since 1999 and it is the first time for Hong Kong athletes to compete in alpine skiing.
Also attending today's ceremony were the Vice-Chairman of the Organising Committee of the HKSAR Delegation to the 12th National Winter Games and Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mrs Betty Fung; the Honourable Secretary General of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr Pang Chung; and the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the HKSAR Delegation, Professor Frank Fu.
Ends/Thursday, December 15, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:28
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