Hong Kong's co-hosting of National Games is about much more than sport
With China's 15th National Games set for November, Hong Kong's preparations are well under way. From
Kai Tak Sports Park cutting its teeth on international events to the mobilisation of 15,000 local volunteers with training and test events, the city's preparations signal that the Games are more than a sporting event. It is a platform for rethinking how Hong Kong engages with its Greater Bay Area neighbours, the city's youth and the nation as a whole.
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This year marks the first time that Hong Kong, together with Guangdong and Macau, will co-host the Games. It's a powerful step forward for the Greater Bay Area, not just in sports cooperation, but in soft power and civic connection. It is already shaping new experiences for Hong Kong's next generation, from students and athletes to volunteers.
At the heart of this effort is the HK$30 billion (US$3.82 billion) Kai Tak Sports Park, officially opened in March. Hong Kong's largest-ever sports infrastructure investment features a 50,000-seat main stadium, a 10,000-seat arena and a 5,000-seat community sports ground. Since opening, it has hosted major events including the
World Snooker Grand Prix and
Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament, which broke attendance records with over 130,000 tickets sold.
These are just the start. With Kai Tak Sports Park expected to look at hosting more than 100 large-scale events annually to remain commercially viable, the National Games will be an anchor event. Beyond headline numbers, the Games will offer something more enduring: a test of whether Hong Kong can be a regional convenor, not just a competitor.
Hong Kong will host
eight events in the Games; in all, around 150,000 visitors, including athletes, coaches, spectators and the media, are expected. Based on earlier
government estimates that various mega-events in the first half of the year would attract around 840,000 visitors to Hong Kong and generate some HK$3.3 billion in consumption expenditure, the National Games could generate around HK$600 million in visitor spending, and probably more.
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The impact will not just be economic, but cultural as well. The 15,000 local volunteers are not only being trained in event logistics but also exposed to systems-level thinking, sustainability and problem-solving. These are skills that go a long way in Hong Kong's events economy.
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South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's co-hosting of National Games is about much more than sport
With China's 15th National Games set for November, Hong Kong's preparations are well under way. From Kai Tak Sports Park cutting its teeth on international events to the mobilisation of 15,000 local volunteers with training and test events, the city's preparations signal that the Games are more than a sporting event. It is a platform for rethinking how Hong Kong engages with its Greater Bay Area neighbours, the city's youth and the nation as a whole. Advertisement This year marks the first time that Hong Kong, together with Guangdong and Macau, will co-host the Games. It's a powerful step forward for the Greater Bay Area, not just in sports cooperation, but in soft power and civic connection. It is already shaping new experiences for Hong Kong's next generation, from students and athletes to volunteers. At the heart of this effort is the HK$30 billion (US$3.82 billion) Kai Tak Sports Park, officially opened in March. Hong Kong's largest-ever sports infrastructure investment features a 50,000-seat main stadium, a 10,000-seat arena and a 5,000-seat community sports ground. Since opening, it has hosted major events including the World Snooker Grand Prix and Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament, which broke attendance records with over 130,000 tickets sold. These are just the start. With Kai Tak Sports Park expected to look at hosting more than 100 large-scale events annually to remain commercially viable, the National Games will be an anchor event. Beyond headline numbers, the Games will offer something more enduring: a test of whether Hong Kong can be a regional convenor, not just a competitor. Hong Kong will host eight events in the Games; in all, around 150,000 visitors, including athletes, coaches, spectators and the media, are expected. Based on earlier government estimates that various mega-events in the first half of the year would attract around 840,000 visitors to Hong Kong and generate some HK$3.3 billion in consumption expenditure, the National Games could generate around HK$600 million in visitor spending, and probably more. Advertisement The impact will not just be economic, but cultural as well. The 15,000 local volunteers are not only being trained in event logistics but also exposed to systems-level thinking, sustainability and problem-solving. These are skills that go a long way in Hong Kong's events economy.
South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's co-hosting of National Games is about much more than sport
With China's 15th National Games set for November, Hong Kong's preparations are well under way. From Kai Tak Sports Park cutting its teeth on international events to the mobilisation of 15,000 local volunteers with training and test events, the city's preparations signal that the Games are more than a sporting event. It is a platform for rethinking how Hong Kong engages with its Greater Bay Area neighbours, the city's youth and the nation as a whole. This year marks the first time that Hong Kong, together with Guangdong and Macau, will co-host the Games. It's a powerful step forward for the Greater Bay Area, not just in sports cooperation, but in soft power and civic connection. It is already shaping new experiences for Hong Kong's next generation, from students and athletes to volunteers. At the heart of this effort is the HK$30 billion (US$3.82 billion) Kai Tak Sports Park, officially opened in March. Hong Kong's largest-ever sports infrastructure investment features a 50,000-seat main stadium, a 10,000-seat arena and a 5,000-seat community sports ground. Since opening, it has hosted major events including the World Snooker Grand Prix and Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament, which broke attendance records with over 130,000 tickets sold. These are just the start. With Kai Tak Sports Park expected to look at hosting more than 100 large-scale events annually to remain commercially viable, the National Games will be an anchor event. Beyond headline numbers, the Games will offer something more enduring: a test of whether Hong Kong can be a regional convenor, not just a competitor. Hong Kong will host eight events in the Games; in all, around 150,000 visitors, including athletes, coaches, spectators and the media, are expected. Based on earlier government estimates that various mega-events in the first half of the year would attract around 840,000 visitors to Hong Kong and generate some HK$3.3 billion in consumption expenditure, the National Games could generate around HK$600 million in visitor spending, and probably more. The impact will not just be economic, but cultural as well. The 15,000 local volunteers are not only being trained in event logistics but also exposed to systems-level thinking, sustainability and problem-solving. These are skills that go a long way in Hong Kong's events economy.
South China Morning Post
5 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong striker ignoring selection controversy, aiming to make history against India
Manuel Bleda said he was ignoring outside noise over his Hong Kong call-up as the striker sets his sights on 'making history' when the city team welcome India to Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday. Advertisement The Spain-born player made a belated international debut in Thursday's 0-0 draw with Nepal. When he received his passport in February 2024, Bleda was recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament tear he suffered the previous pre-season. A May 2024 comeback proved to be a false start, and he would have to wait until March this year for his genuine return to action. However, Bleda's selection for Hong Kong despite not scoring in eight appearances for his club team Eastern – at the expense of 18-goal BC Rangers striker Lau Chi-lok – stoked the ire of supporters. Advertisement 'For me, it's no problem – I don't decide who comes and who does not; that is the coach's job,' Bleda said.
