SCST officiates at flag presentation ceremony for HKSAR Delegation to 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of People’s Republic of China (with photos)

     The flag presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Delegation to the 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of the People's Republic of China (NTGEM) was held at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre this afternoon (November 12).
          
     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Head of the Delegation, Mr Kevin Yeung, officiated at the ceremony and presented the HKSAR regional flag to the President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Delegation, Mr Timothy Fok.
      
     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Yeung said it is the first time that the HKSAR Delegation will participate in the NTGEM under an invitation from the National Ethnic Affairs Commission of the People's Republic of China and the General Administration of Sport of China. He expressed hope that the Hong Kong athletes would seize this rare opportunity to share skills with other athletes, thereby helping them gain a deeper understanding of the nation's unique culture, broaden their horizons, and bring their experiences back to Hong Kong.
      
     He is also looking forward to gaining new insights on how to integrate culture, sports, and tourism through participation in this event.
      
     Jointly organised by the National Ethnic Affairs Commission of the People's Republic of China and the General Administration of Sport of China, and undertaken by the People's Government of Hainan Province, the 12th NTGEM will be held from November 22 to 30 in Sanya, Hainan. The HKSAR will send a total of 86 athletes to participate in three competition events, namely shuttlecock, dragon boat, and folk martial arts as well as in the demonstration event of dragon dance sport. They will also present a lion dance performance during the opening ceremony.
      
     The NTGEM, held every four years, was first held in 1953. Positioned as a mass participation sporting event, participants in the NTGEM are mainly amateur athletes. To encourage active involvement from people in different regions and ethnic groups, there will be first, second and third prizes in the competitions instead of gold, silver and bronze medals. The NTGEM comprises 18 competition events and three categories of demonstration events, along with cultural activities such as opening and closing ceremonies and an ethnic gala, showcasing rich and distinctive ethnic cultures.
      
     Also attending the ceremony today were the Deputy Director General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Li Shuguang; the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau; the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services and the Deputy Head of the Delegation, Miss Winnie Chui; the Commissioner for Sports and member of the Organising Committee of the Delegation, Mr George Tsoi; and the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Delegation, Professor Patrick Yung.
      
     For the latest information on the 12th NTGEM and Hong Kong athletes participating in the Games, please visit the LCSD's dedicated webpage (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ntgem/2024/index).