Jockey Club takes part in the 15th National Games torch relay as excitement for event builds in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong torch relay for the 15th National Games was held today (2 November), with nine torchbearers from The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) proudly taking part. Additionally, the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team, also serving as Group Volunteers for the Hong Kong Competition Region, cheered on torchbearers along the relay route in celebration of the Games.

Jockey Club takes part in the 15th National Games torch relay as excitement for event builds in Hong Kong. Image source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club

The Club, as the sole Partner Sponsor of the Hong Kong Competition Region of the 15th National Games, 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 9th National Special Olympic Games (NGD & NSOG), is honoured to have taken part in the torch relay. Its participation highlights the Club’s vitality and unity in inspiring the community, while reaffirming its steadfast support for the 15th National Games.

Jockey Club takes part in the 15th National Games torch relay as excitement for event builds in Hong Kong. Image source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club

The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, served as the 4th torchbearer, running the Central and Western Promenade (Central Section). Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, participated as the 47th torchbearer along the final stretch of the relay at Kai Tak.

Jockey Club takes part in the 15th National Games torch relay as excitement for event builds in Hong Kong. Image source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Notably, two legs of the Hong Kong relay were run by groups of torchbearers, one of which comprised Club representatives. Torchbearers for the “HKJC group”, carrying the flame in Tsim Sha Tsui, are Jockey Vincent Ho - Hong Kong’s first home-grown jockey to win the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship and six other Club representatives from various divisions - some of whom are retired athletes. They included: Amanda Bond from Equestrian Affairs; Hanane Sabri from Racing Marketing (former French national runner); Chris Lo from Football Wagering; Christen Ho from Corporate Security; Nathan Ho from Charities (former Hong Kong rowing elite athlete); and Trainee Apprentice Jockey Alan Lai. Their participation underscored the Club’s purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of society in every respect and the multiculturalism.

Jockey Club takes part in the 15th National Games torch relay as excitement for event builds in Hong Kong. Image source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club

In support of the National Games, the Club has committed over HK$500 million to the Hong Kong and Guangdong Competition Regions. As sole Partner Sponsor of the Hong Kong Competition Region, it is supporting volunteer service programmes, territory-wide community and school promotional activities, as well as initiatives to help underprivileged groups and young people attend the events as spectators. Some 100 members from the Club’s Volunteer Team will help out as Group Volunteers in the Hong Kong Competition Region.

Jockey Club takes part in the 15th National Games torch relay as excitement for event builds in Hong Kong. Image source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club

In the Guangdong Competition Region, the Club is providing high-quality technical support for the equestrian events in Shenzhen, leveraging its extensive experience in organising horse sports competitions. To help ensure the equestrian events are conducted to a high standard, the Club is also deploying an expert team and loaning specialist equipment. Additionally, the Club will support the Guangdong Competition Region’s official activities, volunteer services and promotion work.

Jockey Club takes part in the 15th National Games torch relay as excitement for event builds in Hong Kong. Image source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club

To recognise the achievements of Hong Kong athletes at the 15th National Games, the Club is sponsoring the Hong Kong Sports Institute to provide cash incentives to medal winners under the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme.

Jockey Club takes part in the 15th National Games torch relay as excitement for event builds in Hong Kong. Image source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club

The Jockey Club SCENES Building was officially opened today (28 June). The building, alongside the newly built Lo Koon Wing Building and refurbished Bradbury Building, is part of the enhancement works at Tai Tam Scout Centre campsite to support The Scout Association of Hong Kong’s nature and environmental programmes. The project is funded by a donation of nearly HK$100 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

The Jockey Club SCENES Building at the Tai Tam Scout Centre.

The new building incorporates green elements such as solar panels, and adopts low-carbon, sustainable architectural design principles, including nature-responsive features that optimise natural daylight, energy efficiency, and thermal comfort. The project has also achieved a provisional BEAM Plus Gold rating, showcasing sustainable building principles in practice. As the third Scout Centre of Excellence for Nature, Environment and Sustainability (SCENES) in Asia and the first of its kind in Hong Kong, the Tai Tam Scout Centre will benefit from the facilities upgrade. The improvements enhance the campsite’s sustainability and help it leverage Hong Kong's unique role as a regional hub for environmental education to nurture environmental stewardship while empowering young people to become responsible future leaders. The centre is expected to welcome more school groups, NGOs and youth organisations, with capacity to serve up to 60,000 visitors annually.

The Jockey Club SCENES Building at the Tai Tam Scout Centre.

Officiating at the opening ceremony were Alice Mak, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government; Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Dr Wilson Lai, Chief Commissioner of Scout Association of Hong Kong; David Yip, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Scout Association of Hong Kong and other guests.

Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said this project demonstrates the long-standing partnership between the Club and The Scout Association of Hong Kong. Over the years, the Club has actively supported social welfare organisations in reducing carbon emissions, protecting biodiversity, and strengthening community resilience to climate change through multi-sector collaboration and innovative thinking. This project reflects the Club’s commitment to promoting sustainability as one of its key impact programmes.

Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a speech at the opening ceremony.

The Jockey Club SCENES Building, redeveloped from a former administration office, addresses the limitations of ageing facilities while enhancing the capacity and functionality of the Tai Tam Scout Centre. The sustainability features will also help reduce the campsite’s impact on the environment, while strengthening its ability to meet the international standards of SCENES, accredited by the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM).

The Trust’s donation also supports new or upgraded facilities at the Lo Koon Wing Building and the Bradbury Building. These include multi-purpose learning spaces, lecture rooms, workshops, laboratories, eco-friendly accommodation and barrier-free access, creating a more inclusive and enriched learning environment. Beyond serving local communities, the enhancements also foster knowledge exchange and collaboration with parties outside Hong Kong.

Alice Mak, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government (4th left); Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (4th right); Dr Wilson Lai, Chief Commissioner of Scout Association of Hong Kong (3rd left); and David Yip, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Scout Association of Hong Kong (3rd right) and other guests officiate at the opening ceremony of the Jockey Club SCENES Building.

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club SCENES Building, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Guests at the Jockey Club SCENES Building.