Xinhua News Agency, Hong Kong, June 28 (Xinhua) Huo Qigang: Hong Kong sports cannot be separated from the support of the state and hopes to better integrate into the Greater Bay Area through the 2025 National Games
Xinhua News Agency reporter Wei Hua
The 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland is approaching. Huo Qigang, vice president of the Hong Kong Sports Association and Olympic Committee of China, said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency that Hong Kong’s progress in sports is inseparable from the motherland’s many years in addition to its own efforts. support given. He also hopes to take the opportunity of hosting the 2025 National Games to promote the better integration of Hong Kong’s sports industry into the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
On June 28, a large outdoor screen on the streets of Macau displayed the phrase “Macau and Hong Kong go forward hand in hand” to welcome the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Jinjia
Fok Qigang said that the Hong Kong team has made breakthroughs in recent years, which is related to the SAR government’s decision to allocate more resources to support sports 10 years ago. “The support of the state is also a major advantage. Since the handover, the exchanges between Hong Kong and the mainland have become more and more close. Excellent mainland athletes, coaches and related personnel are willing to serve in Hong Kong, which has greatly improved the technical ability and competition level of Hong Kong athletes. Few athletes have been training in the mainland, and they have exchanged and learned with the top players of the national team, which is one of the reasons why the Hong Kong team continues to make breakthroughs.
Sports exchanges between Hong Kong and the Mainland have been interpreted in different ways over the years. As one of the “Spirit of the Times, Shining Hong Kong” series of activities, at the end of last year, the delegation of mainland Olympic athletes to Hong Kong carried out intensive performances, media meetings and other activities, pushing the “Olympic fever” formed in Hong Kong during the Tokyo Olympics to a climax again.
Since the handover, the Chinese Olympic delegation has visited Hong Kong six times. Fok Qigang said that this demonstrates the importance the country attaches to Hong Kong. He is very grateful to the athletes for taking time out of their busy schedules to visit Hong Kong after their hard work in each Olympic Games. Every time they come, they can cause a “star” craze.
“Although the mainland Olympic athletes could not have close contact with Hong Kong citizens due to the epidemic last year, I believe they can feel the enthusiasm of Hong Kong citizens. Their visit not only can unite the hearts of the people in the mainland and Hong Kong, but also inspire many Hong Kong citizens. National identity and pride.”
On December 4, 2021, the delegation of mainland Olympic athletes visited Hong Kong and entered the second day of activities.Chinese fencer Sun Yiwen (front right) and Hong Kong fencer Jiang