The territory-wide 6th Hong Kong Games (HKG) will be held from April 23 to May 28 next year. Athlete selection by the 18 District Councils (DCs) is set to begin this month. Members of the public and sport enthusiasts are encouraged to participate actively and represent their districts to compete in the HKG.

The Chairman of the 6th HKG Organising Committee, Mr William Tong, and the Assistant Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure Services), Mr Richard Wong, announced details of the HKG in a press conference held at Kowloon Park Sports Centre today (June 13).

Noting that the HKG is a biennial major multi-sport event with the 18 DCs as the participating units, Mr Tong said that the event aims to provide opportunities for amateur athletes from different districts to share experience and develop their potential, and to encourage active public participation in sports with a view to improving the level of sports at the district level. The HKG can also enhance communication, build friendship across districts and strengthen community cohesion. The growing numbers of athletes and public enrolments in the previous five HKGs prove that the HKG has gained wide support from the community. Mr Tong invited members of the public to actively participate in the HKG and spread the Games' slogan, "Our City, Our Games".

The Executive Adviser of the Organising Committee, Mr Chau How-chen, and the Vice Chairman, Mr Yip Wing-shing, announced that the 6th HKG will continue to organise eight sports competitions, namely athletics, badminton, basketball, futsal, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball.

Mr Wong pointed out that the rules and formats of the competitions are in general similar to those of the 5th HKG. There will be Champion, 1st Runner-up and 2nd Runner-up prizes awarded to athletes or teams in each individual competition, as well as Overall Champion, 1st Runner-up, 2nd Runner-up and District with Impressive Progress prizes for winning districts in each of the eight sports competitions. The three districts accumulating the highest total scores from the eight sports competitions will be awarded the Overall Champion, Overall 1st Runner-up and Overall Second Runner-up prizes of the 6th HKG.

In addition, the 6th HKG will continue to present prizes including District with the Most Gold Medals, District with the Greatest Participation, District with the Best Progress, District with the Best Sportsmanship, District with the Strongest Cheering Squad, online voting for My Favourite Sporty District and paper voting for My Favourite Sporty District.

The 18 DCs will start the selection of athletes to represent the respective districts shortly. Each participant can only enrol in the athlete selection of one district and compete in the HKG representing the district he or she lives in. An identity card and proof of place of residence must therefore be presented during enrolment. Pre-event training will be provided to selected athletes with a view to enhancing their skills and co-operation among team members.

To further encourage community participation, the 6th HKG will organise a variety of publicity and public participation activities including elite athletes' demonstration and exchange programmes in the eight sports between June and October this year. Volleyball will be the first demonstration and exchange programme, to be held on June 23 at the Hong Kong Coliseum. The former national women's volleyball team and the Hong Kong volleyball team will demonstrate skills and join a participation session with attendees. The Vitality Run, which was well received in the last HKG, will be held again in January 2017 with a larger quota for public participation. Furthermore, the 18 Districts' Pledging cum Carnival, the Cheering Team Competition for the 18 Districts, the Dynamic Moments Photo Contest, voting for My Favourite Sporty District and guessing of the Overall Champion of the 6th HKG will also be organised.

Eight Sports Ambassadors for the 6th HKG have been appointed by the Organising Committee to assist in promoting the Games. They are Chan Ming-tai (athletics), Lee Chak-wai (badminton), Duncan Reid (basketball), Yeung Chi-lun (futsal), Lau Shiu-yue (swimming), Wong Chun-ting (table tennis), Claudia Ng (tennis) and Yeung Sau-mei (volleyball).

The 6th HKG is organised by the Sports Commission and co-ordinated by the Community Sports Committee, with the 18 DCs; the Leisure and Cultural Services Department; the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China; and relevant National Sports Associations as co-organisers.

Details about the HKG and athlete selection are available at the 6th HKG dedicated website (www.hongkonggames.hk). For enquiries, please call 2601 7671.

Ends/Monday, June 13, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:20

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