Hong Kong venues ‘ready’ for National Games, city’s No 2 official says

Hong Kong’s competition venues are “ready” to welcome the nearly 4,000 athletes, officials and staff anticipated for the National Games, the city’s No 2 official has stressed.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said on Saturday that hosting the multi-sport competition would not only attract visitors to Hong Kong but also showcase the city’s capability in organising major events.

“Currently, all the competition venues are fully ready for the National Games. We have also devised detailed security plans, crowd and traffic control arrangements, and contingency plans to ensure that competitions will go ahead smoothly and safely,” Chan told a press conference in Guangzhou.

This year marks the first time Hong Kong has co-hosted the Games as part of a tripartite arrangement with Guangdong and Macau. The event will take place from Sunday to November 21.

Fencing, track cycling, rugby sevens, golf, triathlon, beach volleyball, men’s handball and the under-22 men’s basketball tournament will all be held in Hong Kong.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will lead a government delegation to Guangzhou on Sunday to attend the Games’ opening ceremony. Members of his delegation include Chan, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung and Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui.