The inaugural meeting of the Organising Committee of the 15th National Games (NG) and the inaugural meeting of the Organising Committee of the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) were held this afternoon (April 11) at Zhu Dao Guest House, Guangzhou. The Chief Executive (CE), Mr John Lee, led a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) delegation to attend.
      
     Mr Lee is an Executive Chairman of the two Organising Committees. Other members of the HKSAR delegation who also attended the meetings include the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism (SCST), Mr Kevin Yeung, who serves as the Executive Deputy Secretary-General of the Committees; the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip; the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Joe Wong, and the Head of the National Games Coordination Office, Mr Yeung Tak-keung, who are both members of the Committees.
      
     At the inaugural meetings, Mr Lee reported on the latest preparatory work by the HKSAR. Mr Lee said that the NG next year will be the first time for the Games to be cohosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and that is of great significance. He said that the HKSAR Government will spare no effort in dovetailing with the requirements of the General Administration of Sport of China and maintaining close liaison with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government to successfully cohost the Games.
      
     Mr Lee said that the HKSAR Government has established the HKSAR Organising Committee of the 15th National Games last May. With the CE as the Patron, the Chief Secretary for Administration as the Chairman, and the SCST as the Secretary-General, the HKSAR Organising Committee will provide high-level supervision and guidance on the preparatory work of the HKSAR for the NG. Last October, the HKSAR Government established the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong), which takes charge of the co-ordination and implementation of the HKSAR's preparatory work for the Games and liaison with relevant organisations and departments.
      
     Mr Lee said the HKSAR Government will adhere to the principle of "simple, safe and wonderful" in organising the Games, making full use of existing venues and the soon-to-be-completed Kai Tak Sports Park. He added that the Triathlon event will take place at the landmark Victoria Harbour and Central Harbourfront, showcasing to the whole country Hong Kong's picturesque landscape and unique characteristics.
      
     After the inaugural meetings, the Director of the General Administration of Sport of China, Mr Gao Zhidan; the Deputy Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Wang Weizhong; Mr Lee; and the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Ho Iat-seng, jointly unveiled a plaque for the Organising Committee of the 15th NG. Subsequently, Mr Gao; the Director of the Executive Council of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, Mr Zhou Changkui; Mr Wang; Mr Lee and Mr Ho jointly unveiled a plaque for the Organising Committee of the 12th NGD and 9th NSOG.
      
     The two Organising Committees later held separate press conferences announcing the Games' arrangements including the Games' schedules and the distribution of work among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.
      
     The 15th NG will be held from November 9 (Sunday) to 21 (Friday), 2025, lasting for a total of 13 days. Hong Kong will organise eight competition events, namely, Basketball (men U22), Cycling Track, Fencing, Golf, Handball (men), Rugby Sevens, Triathlon and Beach Volleyball; as well as one mass participation event, Bowling.
      
     The 12th NGD and 9th NSOG will be held from December 8 (Monday) to 15 (Monday), 2025, lasting for a total of eight days. Hong Kong will organise five events including NGD events Boccia, Wheelchair Fencing and Para Table Tennis (TT11), mass participation event Para Dance Sport and NSOG event Table Tennis.
      
     The NG, held once every four years, is the nation's highest-level and the largest national multi-sport event. The State Council announced in August 2021 that the 15th NG will be cohosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in 2025. This is the first time for Hong Kong to be a cohost of the NG. The NGD is a national multi-sport games featuring sports events under the International Paralympic Committee, while the NSOG encourages people with intellectual disabilities to participate in sports competitions. Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will also cohost the NGD and NSOG in 2025.    

Ends/Thursday, April 11, 2024
Issued at HKT 18:55

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