Over 16,000 Volunteers Pledge Support for Hong Kong's National Games and Special Olympics Events

Over 16 000 volunteers officially appointed for 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG

​The National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO) today (September 14) held a pledging ceremony for the volunteers of the 15th National Games (NG), the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) in Hong Kong, with over 16 000 volunteers officially appointed to serve for the Hong Kong competition region at the 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG. They will form the largest-ever volunteer team in Hong Kong, providing services across various roles for the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG. These roles cover services for arrival, departure and hotel reception, spectator services, guest reception, anti-doping support and presentation ceremony support etc.

The ceremony was held at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium. The officiating guests included the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum; the Head of the NGCO, Mr Yeung Tak-keung; the Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Raymond Tam; Vice-Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Service Dr James Wong, and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Volunteers Association, Mr Andy Kwok. At the ceremony, nearly 1 800 volunteer representatives took an oath under the witness of officiating guests, committing to upholding their services at the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG with dedication. They were presented with flags. The gold medallist in the Women's Individual Épée event at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and a member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Volunteer Team, Vivian Kong, and former Hong Kong athlete, Leung Kwok-shing, were appointed as the Volunteer Ambassadors at the ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Miss Law said that the volunteer team comprises more than 1 000 youths aged 15 to 17, together with over 15 000 adult volunteers from diverse age groups and backgrounds, the eldest being over 80 years old. They share the same philosophy and passion for services to support the two national mega sports events with devoted actions. She also expressed gratitude to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for its sponsorship in supporting the organisation of the competition events, including volunteer training, development of the information management system, allowances, catering, and uniforms. She also thanked the Agency for Volunteer Service and the Hong Kong Volunteers Association for planning and implementing the entire volunteer programme, including recruitment and training, thereby providing solid support to the entire volunteer work.

The first performance at the event was a Combi Latin Dance 3-Dance by Hong Kong wheelchair dancers Matthew Yu and Pandora Choi, who had just won gold medals in the Combi Latin Dance 3-Dance and 5-Dance competitions at the mass participation para dance sport competition of the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG. The Hong Kong Dance Company performed "Fencing", a dance inspired by the elite sport of fencing. Fencer Ryan Choi and table tennis athlete Doo Hoi-kam shared how volunteers assisted athletes during international competitions, enabling them to focus on their performance. Ryan Choi also sang live to encourage the volunteers who will be serving at the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG.

The volunteer nickname of the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG is Little Dolphin, signifying that volunteers from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao are friendly, lovely, motivated, intelligent and united like dolphins. The volunteer service slogan is "Be more wonderful for you". While "you" represents the events of the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG, as well as everyone who witnesses, participates in and supports the Games, "wonderful" is one of the requirements for hosting the Games. It also embodies athletes' excellent performances and volunteers' contributions to the Games.

The first batch of tickets for the Hong Kong competition region of the 15th NG, covering four competition events, namely beach volleyball, handball (men), basketball (men's U22) and rugby sevens, went on sale late last month. The second batch of tickets, covering the remaining four competition events, namely track cycling, golf, triathlon and fencing, will be available for sale in late September. For ticket purchases and competition schedules, please visit the 15th NG official ticketing website (ticket.baygames.cn).

For more information on the 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG in Hong Kong, please visit the thematic website (www.2025nationalgames.gov.hk/en/index.html), as well the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/2025nationalgames.hk) and Instagram page (www.instagram.com/2025nationalgames.hk).

Source: AI-found images

Over 16 000 volunteers officially appointed for 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 16 000 volunteers officially appointed for 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 16 000 volunteers officially appointed for 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 16 000 volunteers officially appointed for 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 16 000 volunteers officially appointed for 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 16 000 volunteers officially appointed for 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 16 000 volunteers officially appointed for 15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

CHP announces one new melioidosis case

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 16) announced that one new melioidosis case was recorded in the past week (January 9 to 15). The CHP appealed to members of the public to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent melioidosis. The CHP also specifically reminded high-risk groups, including the elderly and people with underlying diseases, to avoid contact with soil or muddy water after typhoons or storms with a view to lowering infection risk.

The case involves a 58-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Kwai Tsing District. He presented with a fever and vomiting since January 10, followed by confusion on the next day (January 11). He was then sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital and is currently in the intensive care unit in critical condition. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. His clinical sample was confirmed to be positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing.

The CHP is investigating the infection source of the case. Initial epidemiological investigations revealed that the case is sporadic. No epidemiological linkages have been established between this case and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.

As of yesterday (January 15), one melioidosis case has been recorded in Hong Kong this year. In 2025, 21 melioidosis cases were recorded.

Person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare, but the bacteria causing melioidosis can survive in the local environment. Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Hong Kong, and melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong each year.

According to literature, melioidosis cases are more common after typhoons or rainstorms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil and muddy water may become exposed to the ground after typhoons or rainstorms, and the bacteria could spread more easily with strong winds or rainstorms. As such, the number of melioidosis cases may increase.

With this in mind, where practicable, members of the public should stay indoors during typhoons and rainstorms, avoid travelling to areas with potential flooding, and not wade in or have contact with muddy water and soil. In addition, high-risk individuals should avoid paths near stormwater drains where aerosols may be generated from contaminated water.

Members of the public should also take the following preventive measures against infection:

Avoid contact with contaminated soil;

Wear appropriate protective clothing or footwear when participating in activities with possible contact with soil or water, e.g. using gloves and wearing boots. High-risk individuals may also consider wearing a surgical mask;

Wash or shower after exposure to contaminated water or soil;

Always clean any wounds as soon as possible and cover them with waterproof dressings;

Wash hands with liquid soap and water after handling soil or gardening;

Observe food hygiene and avoid drinking raw water; and

Travellers can contract the disease through outdoor water sports. Risk of infection can be minimised by avoiding exposure to water sources (such as rivers, ponds or lakes) that might be contaminated.

The CHP appealed to members of the public to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms, in particular people with diabetes or other immunocompromising conditions, in order to receive an appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHP atwww.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.

Source: AI-found images