Hong Kong has formed its largest-ever volunteer corps of more than 16,000 helpers for the coming National Games, with the tourism minister urging them to show the best side of the city’s hospitality.
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Secretary of Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui officiated at a pledging ceremony on Sunday for the volunteers, aged from 15 to 80, who will help the city in its efforts as a co-host of November’s Games.
“Our 16,000 volunteers are our frontline troops as tourism ambassadors. Our hope rests upon you all,” Law said in a speech.
The volunteers, selected by around 200 judges from about 30,000 applications, come from all walks of life with about 15,000 adults and 1,000 young people. Nearly 100 members of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s volunteering team are among them.
“As long as one shares the same philosophy and passion for service, you can use concrete actions to support the 15th National Games and the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities, these two national-level sporting events,” Law said.
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The volunteers will help with arrivals, departures and hotel reception services, spectators, guests at events, awards ceremonies and supporting anti-doping tests.
Olympic gold medal fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai and former athlete Lee Kwok-shing have been appointed as ambassadors for the volunteers.