The 5th Hong Kong Games

The Hong Kong Games (HKG) is a major territory-wide multi-sport event that has been held biennially since 2007, with the 18 District Councils (DCs) as the participating units. It aims to provide districts with more opportunities for sports participation, exchange and co-operation, as well as encouraging members of the public to actively participate in sports, thereby promoting the Sport for All culture at the community level. The Hong Kong Games is organised by the Sports Commission and coordinated by its Community Sports Committee, with LCSD, the 18 DCs, the SF&OC and relevant National Sports Associations as co-organisers.

Athletes competing in a swimming competition at the Hong Kong Games.

Following the press conference for the 5th HKG held at the Kowloon Park Sports Centre on May 19, 2014, the 18 DCs conducted open selection exercises to select athletes to represent their districts in the Games. Over 3 200 athletes from the 18 DCs were selected to compete in eight sports at the Games, namely athletics, badminton, basketball, futsal, swimming, table tennis, tennis, and volleyball. The Organising Committee adopted ‘Our City, our Games’ as the slogan of the 5th HKG, and appointed eight elite athletes as Sports Ambassadors to help promote the event.

The 5th HKG was held from April 25 to May 31, 2015. To encourage territory-wide support for and participation in the HKG, over 20 publicity and public participation activities were planned and organised, including press conferences, a sports seminar cum carnival, the 18 districts’ pledging ceremony, a cheering team competition for the 18 districts, eight elite athlete demonstration and exchange activities, a Dynamic Moments Photo Contest, a grand opening ceremony, and a closing cum prize presentation ceremony. Members of the public could also vote for My Favourite Sporty District and guess the Overall Champion of the 5th Hong Kong Games. Over 400 000 participants were expected to take part in these activities.

A child is presented with an autographed T-shirt by elite volleyball players at a demonstration and exchange activity.

In addition, the first-ever Vitality Run was successfully held along the Shing Mun Riverside in Sha Tin on March 8, 2015, with over 5 000 participants taking part in the run and its fringe activities. The Vitality Run was introduced as a new element in the HKG this year, to encourage more Hong Kong people to join in the HKG with their families and friends and share the fun of running.

Over 5 000 people took part in the 5th Hong Kong Games Jockey Club Vitality Run.