The 7th Hong Kong Games (HKG) Opening Ceremony was held at the Hong Kong Coliseum this afternoon (April 28). The Acting Chief Executive, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, officiated at the ceremony and witnessed the official opening of the 7th HKG with an audience from the 18 districts.
 
     Addressing the ceremony, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, said the biennial HKG provides a platform for competition and exchanges between athletes, enhances communication and fosters friendship among the 18 districts, and promotes sports culture in the community. The HKG can also identify young athletes with potential for further training to become elite athletes in future and bring glory to Hong Kong, he added.
 
     After the Acting Chief Executive's announcement of the official opening of the 7th HKG, an athlete representative from Yuen Long District, the overall champion of the 6th HKG, took an oath on behalf of all participating athletes of the 7th HKG.
 
     Mainland Olympic gold medallists Wei Qiuyue (women's volleyball) and Wang Zhen (men's race walking) and Hong Kong elite athletes Sarah Lee and Au Chun-ming held the torch to enter the venue and lit the cauldron of the Games. They were joined by former member of the Hong Kong Cycling Team Wong Kam-po, who led athletes of the 18 districts to take part and helped to raise the energy of the HKG.
 
     A number of Hong Kong elite athletes also participated in various performing sessions at the ceremony to show support for the 7th HKG.
 
     The ceremony's programme featured a variety of performances, including displays by winning teams of the 18 districts' cheering team competition in the pre-show to demonstrate the uniqueness and vitality of their districts. There were also dragon and lion dances; a grand dance show; demonstrations of artistic gymnastics, rope skipping, basketball and tai chi; and performances by pop singers.
 
     Highlights of the opening ceremony will be broadcast on TVB Jade between 10.30pm and 11.30pm tonight.
 
     Also officiating at today's ceremony were members of the Legislative Council Mr Ma Fung-kwok and Mr Lau Kwok-fan; the President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), Mr Timothy Fok; the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Cherry Tse; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li; the Commissioner for Sports, Mr Yeung Tak-keung; the Chairman of the 7th HKG Organising Committee, Mr David Yip; and the Executive Adviser of the 7th HKG Organising Committee, Mr William Tong.
 
     The 7th HKG comprises eight sports competitions, namely athletics, badminton, basketball, futsal, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. In order to boost the lively atmosphere of the Games, finals competitions will be held in the HKG Finals Fortnight on May 18, 19, 25 and 26. Members of the public are welcome to watch the competitions at venues of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and cheer for the athletes. To encourage more people to witness these exciting events, finals of the eight sports competitions will be webcast live. Four of the final competitions will be broadcast live on Radio Television Hong Kong TV 32, namely the swimming, volleyball, futsal and basketball finals to be held on May 18, 19, 25 and 26 respectively. Members of the public can also take part in community participation programmes like the Dynamic Moments Photo Contest and voting and guessing activities. Details of these programmes and the competition schedule are available on the HKG designated website www.hongkonggames.hk.
 
     The 7th HKG is organised by the Sports Commission and co-ordinated by the Community Sports Committee along with the 18 District Councils; the LCSD; the SF&OC; and relevant national sports associations as co-organisers. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is the Principal Contributor.

Ends/Sunday, April 28, 2019
Issued at HKT 19:40

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