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 Hong Kong Volunteer Award Presentation Ceremony cum Forum 2025 was held today (9 January) to recognise the many volunteers who have contributed to the betterment of our society. The Award is supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust through its JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER initiative, launched and funded by the Trust in 2022 to promote a culture of volunteering and community care.

Janet Lee, wife of the HKSAR Chief Executive and Volunteer-in-Chief (2nd left); Clarence Leung, HKSAR Government Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs (2nd right); Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (1st left); and Melissa Kaye Pang, Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Service (1st right), officiate at the Hong Kong Volunteer Award 2025 Presentation Ceremony.

Co-organised by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Agency for Volunteer Service, the event's opening ceremony was officiated by guests including Janet Lee, wife of the HKSAR Chief Executive and Volunteer-in-Chief; Clarence Leung, HKSAR Government Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs; Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Melissa Kaye Pang, Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Service.

Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, delivers a speech at the Hong Kong Volunteer Award 2025 Presentation Ceremony.

Club Steward Jackson Woo highlighted the Club's long-standing partnership with the Agency for Volunteer Service, dating back to the 1970s, in promoting volunteering. In recent years, through the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER initiative, the Club has broadened its support by promoting the concept of “Volunteer for Impact" and introducing many exclusive awards that recognise contributions from diverse sectors and foster the sustainable development of volunteer services. He added that the Club's CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team participates in a variety of community services, including supporting the recently concluded 15th National Games, bringing care and warmth to communities across Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club was honoured with an Outstanding Corporate Award

The Hong Kong Jockey Club was honoured with a Top Ten Highest Volunteer Hour Award.

The CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team comprises dedicated employees who, in 2024 alone, contributed over 25,000 volunteering hours, benefiting more than 740,000 people. At this year's Hong Kong Volunteer Award, the Club was awarded, Outstanding Corporate Award and Top Ten Highest Volunteer Hour Award, underscoring the dedication and impact of its volunteer team.

Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (first row, 8th left), and Freely Cheng, the Club’s Head of External Affairs (first row, 9th left), with members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team.

The integrated platform launched under JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER has attracted over 23,000 registered volunteers to date, with cumulative service hours close to 270,000.

Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (centre), with recipients of the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Evergreen Volunteer Award and the Outstanding Rising Star Volunteer Award.

Since 2023, the Club has supported awards under the Hong Kong Volunteer Award scheme through JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER including the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Evergreen Volunteer Award, the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Caring School Award, the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Evergreen Volunteer Award (Volunteer Hours), the JC VOLUNTEER TOETHER Rising Star Volunteer Award (Volunteer Hours) and the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Caring School, all of which celebrate exceptional volunteering efforts. The Club also supports the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Rising Star Volunteer Award, which honours individuals who are volunteering for the first time or returning to volunteer work, recognising their achievements and contributions. Further details can be found on the Hong Kong Volunteer Award website: https://hkvaward.hk/

Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (back row, 12th left), and Freely Cheng, the Club’s Head of External Affairs (back row, centre), with members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team and the awarded JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER volunteers.

JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER was launched in collaboration with 12 partner organisations. It is designed to encourage and mobilise primary and secondary school students, families, working adults, people aged 50+ and retirees as well as the general public to do good for society. It has also created the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER PLATFORM in collaboration with six major volunteer matching hubs in Hong Kong to help people identify volunteering opportunities and register for and keep track of their volunteering activities.

The Club's support for the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER, like all its charity and community contributions, 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.