Hong Kong Celebrates 20th Asian Games Success at Commendation Ceremony for Medal-Winning Athletes

Commendation Ceremony for Hong Kong, China Delegation to 20th Asian Games held today

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, officiated at the Commendation Ceremony for the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the 20th Asian Games at the Kowloon Park Sports Centre this afternoon (October 26). He presented certificates of commendation to the medallists in recognition of their outstanding performance in the Games.

The ceremony was jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC). The Hong Kong, China delegation of some 580 athletes competed in 38 events and won 54 medals, comprising 11 gold, 19 silver and 24 bronze medals. Both the number of gold medals and the total medal tally were the highest achieved by the delegation at the Asian Games.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said that the athletes' outstanding performance exemplified the hard work and dedication of countless people. He thanked the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI), the SF&OC, national sports associations, coaches and medical teams for their wholehearted guidance and assistance, adding that their comprehensive support provided staunch backing to the athletes.

He also said that the HKSAR Government attaches great importance to sports development. Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, announced last month, clearly sets out the direction of developing elite sports, maintaining Hong Kong's status as a centre for major international sports events, enhancing professionalism and developing sports as an industry, including enhancing athletes' overall standards through the HKSI's elite training system. In the latest Policy Address, he proposed supporting the HKSI in launching a new three-year Sports Executive Training Programme to broaden career pathways for retired athletes and nurture professional management talent for the sports sector.

Other guests attending the ceremony included Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Mr Sun Shangwu; the President of the SF&OC of Hong Kong, China, Dr Timothy Fok; the Chef de Mission of the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the 20th Asian Games, Mr Wong Po-kee; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum; the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, the Commissioner for Sports, Ms Polly Chong; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan.

The Asian Games were held from September 19 to October 4. The list of medallists of the Hong Kong, China Delegation is set out in the Annex.

The Commendation Ceremony for the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the 20th Asian Games was held at the Kowloon Park Sports Centre this afternoon (October 26). Photo shows athletes sharing their experiences of competing in the Games. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commendation Ceremony for the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the 20th Asian Games was held at the Kowloon Park Sports Centre this afternoon (October 26). Photo shows athletes sharing their experiences of competing in the Games. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commendation Ceremony for the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the 20th Asian Games was held at the Kowloon Park Sports Centre this afternoon (October 26). Photo shows athletes sharing their experiences of competing in the Games. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the Commendation Ceremony for the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the 20th Asian Games today (October 26). Photo shows (front row, from 10th left) the Chef de Mission of the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the 20th Asian Games, Mr Wong Po-kee; the Honorary Secretary General of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), Mr Edgar Yang; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the President of the SF&OC, Dr Timothy Fok; Mr Lee; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr Sun Shangwu; and the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, with athletes and other guests at the event. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commendation Ceremony for the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the 20th Asian Games was held at the Kowloon Park Sports Centre this afternoon (October 26). Photo shows athletes sharing their experiences of competing in the Games. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, speaks at the Commendation Ceremony for the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the 20th Asian Games today (October 26). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Follow-up on fire on artificial island off Shek Kwu Chau

A fire broke out at the Integrated Waste Management Facilities Phase 1 (I.PARK1) located on an artificial island off Shek Kwu Chau at 12.40pm today (October 26). In the incident, a staff felt unwell and was sent to the hospital. All construction workers and operational staff were evacuated smoothly. I.PARK1 has temporarily suspended waste reception.

Preliminary information indicated that the fire originated at the roof of the main incinerator building's third incineration module area. After the fire broke out, the contractor of the facility took immediate actions according to its emergency response protocol, including reporting to the Fire Services Department (FSD), deploying trained designated response members to control the fire, evacuating about 970 construction workers and operational staff working on the island in an orderly manner, and suspending the operation of all critical systems of the facility.

The fire was largely put out at about 4.45pm by firefighters on scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has instructed the contractor to submit a report on the fire incident within seven days and will work with the FSD to investigate the cause of fire. The EPD will also evaluate the damage and urge the contractor to conduct repairs as soon as possible.

The EPD is reviewing the impact of the fire on the facility's operation and will maintain close communication with the industry on the operational arrangements. Meanwhile, the EPD has arranged to extend the operating hours of the Department's West New Territories Landfill Extension to maintain the normal operation of the city's overall waste management system.

Source: AI-found images