As the 15th National Games approaches, Hong Kong is preparing to showcase its sporting prowess and spirit on a significant stage. The Games, a quadrennial multi-sport event, is set to be co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao from November 9 to 21, 2025. This marks the first time the Games will be jointly hosted, highlighting the deepening cooperation and integration within the Greater Bay Area.
Hong Kong is sending its largest-ever delegation to the National Games, with over 600 athletes competing in 28 events. The delegation also includes approximately 270 team officials and medical personnel, with a total of over 1,800 participants when including those involved in the 23 mass participation events. The city will host eight competition events: basketball (men U22), track cycling, fencing, golf, handball (men), rugby sevens, triathlon, and beach volleyball, alongside a mass participation event in bowling. Additionally, the marathon and road cycling events are planned to run through Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu presided over a flag presentation ceremony on Wednesday for Hong Kong's delegation, encouraging the athletes to strive for excellence. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, who accepted the flag on behalf of the delegation, expressed confidence that the athletes would push beyond their limits and bring pride to Hong Kong. She also highlighted the government's commitment to sports development, noting the allocation of over HK$1 billion to the Hong Kong Sports Institute for the 2025-26 fiscal year, supporting over 1,600 elite athletes across 39 sports.
To further motivate the athletes, the Hong Kong Jockey Club has increased its incentive program by 50 percent. Individual gold medalists will receive HK$750,000, while teams winning gold will share HK$1.5 million. Silver and bronze medalists will also receive substantial rewards.
Hong Kong athletes have demonstrated strong performances in recent major competitions. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, they secured two gold and two bronze medals. In the 2021 National Games in Shaanxi province, they won two gold and five bronze medals. These achievements reflect the effectiveness of the SAR government's direction in elite sports and the fruitful collaboration in sports development.
Young athletes like Sarah Kwong Sze-oi, an 18-year-old javelin thrower making her National Games debut, exemplify the spirit of the Hong Kong delegation. Kwong is eager to test her skills against national rivals and, more importantly, enjoy the competition with her mainland peers. Similarly, teenage sprinter Chloe Pak Hoi-man, a member of the record-breaking women's 4x100 metres relay team, is aiming for another outstanding performance at the National Games.
The Games also rely on the support of a large volunteer team, with over 16,000 individuals from all walks of life, aged 15 to over 80, serving in various capacities. This widespread community involvement underscores the unifying power of sports and the collective enthusiasm for the National Games.
As Hong Kong prepares to co-host and compete in the 15th National Games, the city has the opportunity to showcase not only its athletic talent but also its organizational capabilities and its commitment to fostering unity and progress within the Greater Bay Area. The Games are expected to draw significant attention, with over 4,000 athletes, delegation members, event staff, and media personnel participating and onsite spectators from home and abroad expected to exceed 100,000. With detailed plans and thorough preparations in place, Hong Kong is ready to welcome the nation and demonstrate true sportsmanship on this prestigious stage.
