National Games: excitement builds as Hong Kong embraces pivotal role ahead of opening ceremony

The National Games officially open in Guangzhou on Sunday, but Hong Kong is already well into its role as co-host and a pivotal centre for the action and organisation over the next two weeks.

Tens of thousands of athletes, officials and tourists are expected to descend on the city, which is hosting eight events and there were sell-out crowds at the beach volleyball and men’s handball on Saturday.

And while there are tickets still available for sports such as the rugby sevens and triathlon, day passes for when Olympic fencing champion Cheung Ka-long and his teammates are competing at Kai Tak Arena have all been snapped up.

Such is the expected interest that shopping centres across all 18 districts will stream the action as they did for the Paris Olympics last summer, and fans will be able to watch the opening ceremony live once again.

Officials have spent months ensuring Hong Kong lives up to what Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said was the “high degree of trust” placed in it as hosts.

Chan said at a press conference in Guangzhou on Saturday that Hong Kong’s role showcased its “capability to organise large-scale competitions”.