Hong Kong’s role in National Games as part of GBA one of ‘immense significance’
City playing host reflects government’s trust and reliance and could see region taking on events such as World University Games, Asian Games
Co-hosting the National Games has placed Hong Kong in a pivotal role for China’s largest sporting event, not only as competitors but as organisers alongside Macau and Guangdong.
And the departure from a 60-year tradition of having one host has highlighted the Greater Bay Area’s connectivity and its potential as a sporting hub of global significance, one expert told the Post.
There will be eight sports in Hong Kong for the Games, which officially open on November 9 and run until November 21, and when discussing preparations for the event, Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki told reporters the city’s role was of “immense significance, as it reflected the central government’s high degree of trust and reliance on Hong Kong”.
Chan, who is also vice-president of Hong Kong’s National Games Organising Committee, believed it would deepen cooperation and exchange within the GBA and promote tourism as well as economic development.
Lobo Louie Hung-tak, senior lecturer of health and physical education at the Education University of Hong Kong, said the central government intended to showcase the synergy of the region in its unprecedented tripartite hosting arrangement.
“Just look at the 15th five-year plan,” he said, referring to recommendations the Communist Party’s Central Committee released on Tuesday. “It is clear that the national policy is to build up Hong Kong, Macau and the rest of the Greater Bay Area.”