Torch Relay Celebrates Diversity Ahead of 15th National Games in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao

15th National Games torch relay successfully held

The 15th National Games (NG) will be opened on November 9. To welcome this landmark sporting event, jointly hosted for the first time by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, the torch relay in Hong Kong competition region was held today (November 2). Fifty torchbearers representing various sectors—including sports, sponsors, volunteers, the youth, persons with disabilities and ethnic minorities—participated, fully showcasing Hong Kong's open, diverse, and inclusive character.

The torch relay launching ceremony was held at 9am in Shenzhen, followed by starting ceremonies in Hong Kong, Macao and Guangzhou at 9.30am, where torch relay started simultaneously. The total route length in Hong Kong is approximately 10 kilometers, divided into five segments. Starting from the Central Government Offices in Tamar, with Hong Kong table tennis athlete Wong Chun-ting serving as the first torchbearer, the Hong Kong route passed through the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section), the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade, the Monument in Commemoration of Return of Hong Kong to China and Golden Bauhinia Square. The second section saw the torchbearers crossed the Victoria Harbour by Star Ferry, then proceed to the third section in Tsim Sha Tsui. They started from Star Ferry Bus Terminus in Tsim Sha Tsui in Salisbury Road to Mody Lane, passing by the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Hong Kong Museum of Art. Torchbearers of the fourth section took an open-top bus to the bus terminal at the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP). After entering KTSP, the torchbearers of the fifth section passed by the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground and the Kai Tak Sports Avenue before arriving at the Kai Tak Sports Park Central Square. The last torchbearer, Hong Kong fencing athlete Kaylin Hsieh, lighted the cauldron and the closing ceremony took place.

Addressing at the launching ceremony of torch relay in Hong Kong, the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, said torch relay events which were held in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao on the same day this time are not only a great innovation but also demonstrate the unique advantages of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The GBA will work together for integrated development and greater strength to establish a global top-notch bay area and world-class city cluster.

Representatives of the four cities will return the flame to Guangzhou after the torch relay. A flame-gathering ceremony will be held in the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center, bridging the torch relay at the venue and the lighting of the main torch at the 15th NG opening ceremony.

The biggest highlight of the 15th NG torch relay is the collaborative progress of the three places and the relay among the four cities. The unique feature of the joint hosting of the 15th NG by the three places has been fully demonstrated, from the lighting of the "source flame" in Nansha, Guangzhou by the representatives of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau earlier October to the simultaneous torch relay events in four locations today.

15th National Games torch relay successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

15th National Games torch relay successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

15th National Games torch relay successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

15th National Games torch relay successfully held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Swimming pool complexes to open from April 1 for new swimming season

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (March 31) that for the upcoming swimming season, 44 public swimming pool complexes will open for public use tomorrow (April 1). Individual swimming pools to be temporarily closed in specified periods in 2026 for maintenance works are set out in the Annex. Swimmers should mind their safety, care for themselves and others, and keep the swimming pools clean and hygienic while enjoying the fun of swimming.

From April to October, LCSD swimming pools will open daily from 6.30am to 10pm in three sessions with two one-hour breaks. Mui Wo Swimming Pool will open daily from 8.30am to 6pm in two sessions (and in one session from 7pm to 10pm on Fridays (Note)).

For the 19 pool complexes with both heated and non-heated swimming facilities, the heated facilities will continue to open from April 1 to 15. The non-heated facilities will open for public use from April 16.

The 19 swimming pool complexes are:

Hong Kong Island:

District

Swimming Pool Complex

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Central and Western

Kennedy Town Swimming Pool

Wan Chai

Morrison Hill Swimming Pool

Kowloon:

District

Swimming Pool Complex

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Kowloon City

Ho Man Tin Swimming Pool

Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool

Wong Tai Sin

Hammer Hill Road Swimming Pool

Morse Park Swimming Pool

Kwun Tong

Kwun Tong Swimming Pool

Sham Shui Po

Lai Chi Kok Park Swimming Pool

Yau Tsim Mong

Kowloon Park Swimming Pool

New Territories:

District

Swimming Pool Complex

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Islands

Tung Chung Swimming Pool

North

Fanling Swimming Pool

Sha Tin

Hin Tin Swimming Pool

Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool

Tsuen Wan

Shing Mun Valley Swimming Pool

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun Swimming Pool

Tuen Mun North West Swimming Pool

Yuen Long

Yuen Long Swimming Pool

Tin Sau Road Swimming Pool

Sai Kung

Tseung Kwan O Swimming Pool

To maintain the hygiene of public swimming pools, each pool will be closed for a thorough cleaning once a week, in addition to the regular daily cleaning. The thorough cleaning will be conducted on a designated weekday (Monday to Friday) from 10am to the end of the second session. If the designated day falls on a public holiday, the cleaning will be rescheduled to another weekday in the same week.

To ensure a clean environment for public swimming pools, swimmers should maintain personal hygiene and observe the pool rules, including the following points:

(a) Swimmers should shower before entering the pool deck;

(b) Swimmers should walk through the shower bath and footbath;

(c) Swimmers should not go swimming if they feel unwell and should seek medical consultation early;

(d) Swimmers are advised to use the toilet before swimming and should not urinate or defecate in the pools. They should leave the water immediately and use the toilet if they have to vomit; and

(e) Parents should teach their children about the importance of maintaining personal and public hygiene.

Holders of the public swimming pool monthly ticket are encouraged to apply for monthly ticket smart cards, which are printed with the card holder's photo and preloaded with information on the validity period. The smart cards enable holders to enter the pools easily and conveniently without having to produce documentary proof of identity. Interested monthly ticket holders can apply for smart cards free of charge. For details, please visit the webpage www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/swim-intro/swim-ticket.html.

For details of the opening arrangements and the schedule of the weekly cleaning operations of public swimming pools, please visit the webpagewww.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/swim-intro/swimlocation.html.

Note: Mui Wo Swimming Pool will open from 8.30am to 6pm in two sessions on April 3 (public holiday).

Source: AI-found images