The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
 
     The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded "M" Mark status to the 2021 Tissot UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup, Hong Kong, China, which will be held from May 13 to 16.
 
     The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Karl Kwok, said today (May 12) that this event, like all "M" Mark events, will add colour and vibrancy to Hong Kong and provide an opportunity for the general public to enjoy high-level competition.
 
     "Affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, the above event will be held behind closed doors in the form of a "safety bubble". This will demonstrate to the world Hong Kong's capability of organising major sports events under extremely challenging circumstances and generate positive publicity for Hong Kong, thereby strengthening Hong Kong's position as a centre for major international sports events," Mr Kwok said.
 
     The "M" Mark System was launched in 2004 to help local national sports associations organise more major sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be granted "M" Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some event organisers.
 
     Owing to the COVID-19 epidemic, all "M" Mark events originally scheduled since February 2020 have been either cancelled or postponed. The 2021 Tissot UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup, Hong Kong, China will be the first "M" Mark event held under the epidemic.
 
     For details of "M" Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk.

Ends/Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Issued at HKT 12:17

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