Sport integral to forging national identity: minister
Rosanna Law said she hoped Hong Kong athletes can utilise their homecourt advantage during the National Games in November. Photo: RTHK
The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism hopes the upcoming National Games can instil a sense of national identity among Hong Kong people and unite society.
Speaking on RTHK's Overview Policy programme, Rosanna Law was also confident SAR athletes would perform well in front of a home crowd, noting they are strong at events staged here such as track cycling, fencing and rugby sevens.
The 15th National Games, scheduled between November 9 and 21, will simultaneously take place in Macau and various Guangdong cities in a concerted effort.
Apart from the above events, Hong Kong will also host competitions for golf, triathlon, beach volleyball, as well as men's handball and men's under-22 basketball, while bowling will be staged as a "mass participation" event.
"With home court advantage, I hope we can achieve good results at the Games," Law said.
"But also importantly, sport can instil a sense of national identity and cohesiveness in society. Our athletes will be competing against elite counterparts from different provinces, municipalities and special administrative regions."
The minister believes the entire city will be fully committed to the event, with 18,000 or so volunteers recruited.
"During the tournament, every TV station and media outlet will surely cover the Games, especially when it's the final with the gold medal on the line. Everyone will turn on their televisions to watch the event live," she said.
Touching on other aspects of her work, Law said arrangements are being made to help local arts groups perform overseas as a demonstration of Hong Kong's soft power.
The government is also constantly inviting overseas performers and exhibitors to visit the city, she added, so that they can learn about the SAR's unique culture.
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