CE presents flag to Hong Kong delegation to 12th National Games (with photos)
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     The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, today (August 8) presented the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) flag to the HKSAR Delegation to the 12th National Games of the People's Republic of China at Government House.

     The Secretary for Home Affairs and Head of the HKSAR Delegation to the 12th National Games, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, received the HKSAR flag from the Chief Executive.    

     The 12th National Games will be held in Liaoning Province between August 31 and September 12. Top-notch athletes all over the country will compete for the highest honours in 31 sports events.

     Hong Kong first participated in the National Games in 1997 and this year marks its fifth entry. The HKSAR delegation totals 327 members, comprising 223 athletes and 104 officials and medical staff, taking part in 20 final competitions, namely aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, fencing, golf, gymnastics, men's handball, judo, rugby, windsurfing, shooting, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, beach volleyball, and wushu taolu. Golf and rugby are the newly added sports events this year.

     Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Mr Tsang said that the 12th National Games placed great emphasis on promoting youth sports, which was consistent with the Hong Kong Government's efforts to nurture young talents in sports. Through participating in the national mega sports event and interacting with top-notch players on the Mainland, local athletes would be able to enhance their standards, he said.

     Mr Tsang said he was confident that the Hong Kong delegation would try their best in the Games, and will demonstrate sportsmanship and bring home pride. He expressed his best wishes for the Games and victory of the local athletes.

     Other officiating guests attending the ceremony included the President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the HKSAR Delegation, Mr Timothy Fok; the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and the Honorary Adviser of the HKSAR Delegation, Mr Raymond Young; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services and Deputy Head of the HKSAR Delegation, Mrs Betty Fung, and the Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee and Chairman of the Executive Committee under the Organising Committee of the HKSAR Delegation, Professor Frank Fu.

Ends/Thursday, August 8, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:36

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