The 18 Districts' Pledging Ceremony cum Carnival of the 6th Hong Kong Games (HKG) was held today (February 19) at the Arena of Kowloon Park Sports Centre, marking the full support of relevant organisations as well as the readiness of athletes from 18 districts to strive for success in the Games.
   
     Officiating at the ceremony, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, said the HKG is one of the major activities to promote the Sport for All culture in the community. It not only provides opportunities for amateur athletes representing the 18 districts to unleash their potential during their participation in sports competitions, but also nurture community cohesion and  enhance their sense of belonging to their home districts.

     Mr Lau called on members of the public to actively support the 6th HKG. Apart from competing in the Games, they could also join in by watching the competitions, cheering for the athletes and attending the community participation activities, he said.
       
     The HKG will be held from April 23 to May 28 and will include eight sport events, namely athletics, badminton, basketball, futsal, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. Each district has formed its own team to compete in various sports, with about 3 200 athletes participating in total.
      
     Also speaking at the pledging ceremony, the Chairman of the 6th HKG Organising Committee, Mr William Tong, noted that the HKG, as a territory-wide major multi-sports event, is one of the highlight activities of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
 
     District teams have stepped up training to gear up their athletes for the competitions, he said.

     The Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li, announced that two new events, namely the Swimming Invitation Competition for People with Intellectual Disabilities and the Wheelchair Basketball Challenge, will be introduced to let people with disabilities to join the HKG and to further encourage them to participate in sports.
 
     Other community participation activities will commence after today's ceremony, including the Cheering Team Competition for the 18 Districts, as well as the Grand Opening of the HKG. Members of the public can also take part in the vote for "My Favourite Sporty District" and guess the "Overall Champion of the 6th HKG" as another way to participate in the Games.
 
     Sports demonstrations/performances will be arranged on the competitions days.  Spectators at the opening ceremony and sports competitions may have a chance to get special souvenirs.

     Also officiating at today's ceremony were the Chairman of the Community Sports Committee, Mr David Yip, and the Executive Adviser of the 6th HKG Organising Committee, Mr Chau How-chen. Representatives of the 18 District Councils, relevant National Sports Associations, as well as the 8 Sports Ambassadors of the 6th HKG also attended the occasion to show their support. About 500 members of the public took part in the Carnival.

     The 6th 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, eight relevant National Sports Associations and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department as the co-organisers. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is the Principal Contributor for the event.

     Details about the 6th HKG and other community participation activities are available on the HKG's dedicated website (www.hongkonggames.hk).

Ends/Sunday, February 19, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:10

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