Game Faces
Meet the team: Interviews with three key players in the National Games.
Head, National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong)
Yeung Tak-keung
What makes Hong Kong an ideal host city?
Hong Kong is an international city. We have very good connections with other parts of the world and very good IT infrastructure and transport networks, including the Mass Transit Railway (MTR), bus and ferry services, which are very convenient and affordable, so we have always been a hub for conventions and exhibitions. But we did not have a world-class stadium until now, so Kai Tak Sports Park has quickly become a landmark for Hong Kong and the region.
Was the potential for success on home soil part of the appeal of Hong Kong co-hosting the National Games?
Hong Kong’s sports culture has improved a lot because the government invests in promoting it. Our athletes are doing well in international events, but it’s rare for them to compete in front of a home crowd. So, this time, we are hosting the National Games. We chose to host sports in which we think we would be competitive, so we should be able to see top performances from our athletes.
What are your ambitions for the National Games?
Competition is the core of the Games. So, we want to provide a stage for athletes to perform their best and have an exciting competition in Hong Kong. And we want to cooperate closely with Guangdong and Macau to promote the Greater Bay Area. We want to demonstrate our capabilities to host world-class events in the future. If the National Games is successful, the potential is unlimited.
Volunteer, 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China
Raymond Yip Chak-yan
How proud are you to be a part of the first National Games to be hosted in Hong Kong?
As a member of our motherland and a Hong Konger, I am particularly excited and proud to be part of this premier national event on our doorstep.
Which events are you looking forward to the most?
I am looking forward to the fencing in which Hong Kong excelled at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics. For the first time in Hong Kong’s history, our team won gold medals in fencing in two Olympic Games in a row. I hope that our athletes will continue to scale new heights at the 15th National Games.
What do you hope visitors take away from their experience of the National Games?
I hope that they come away convinced that Hong Kong has all the necessary core competences and conditions to host mega cultural and sport events, in the same way that we have firmly established our leading reputation for organising world-class trade fairs and business events.
Swimmer, 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China
Cindy Cheung
How has living in Hong Kong helped your ambitions to become an Olympic swimmer?
Having access to multiple world-class swimming facilities, particularly in the Hong Kong Sports Institute, enables me to refine my techniques and enhance my performance with advanced equipment. The growing passion for sports among citizens has also fostered my personal growth, exemplified by the University of Hong Kong’s support for my dual career path.
You are majoring in psychology. Do your studies offer an advantage when it comes to understanding your sport?
Mental strength is crucial to my performance. The challenges of being a student athlete resonate deeply with the topics I study, such as motivations and goal setting.
Will the chance to compete at home give you an edge?
I am honoured to represent Hong Kong in the National Games. Although the swimming events take place in Shenzhen, its proximity allows me to feel more at ease in the venue, which can positively impact my performance.
