The biennial Hong Kong Games involving athletes from all 18 districts opened today (28 April) at the Hong Kong Coliseum. This is the fifth consecutive time The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has been the Principal Contributor to this citywide sporting event, which is aimed at providing the community with the opportunity to share the joy of sports, establish a healthy lifestyle and strengthen its bonds of friendship and fellowship. 

The Club’s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung was joined at the opening ceremony by HKSAR Acting Chief Executive Matthew Cheung; Secretary for Home Affairs Lau Kong-wah; Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Cherry Tse; Commissioner for Sports Yeung Tak-keung; Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Michelle Li; President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China Timothy Fok; Chairman of the 7th Hong Kong Games David Yip; Executive Adviser of the 7th Hong Kong Games Organising Committee William Tong; and members of the Legislative Council Ma Fung-kwok and Lau Kwok-fan, as well as athletes from the 18 Districts.

Running until 2 June, the 7th Hong Kong Games comprises eight competitions – athletics, badminton, basketball, futsal, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. Over 7,000 talented athletes have been selected from different districts to participate and exchange skills with counterparts. Furthermore, to promote integration between able-bodied and disabled persons, the Games will feature a Wheelchair Basketball Challenge and Swimming Invitation Competition for People with Intellectual Disabilities.

Apart from supporting The Jockey Club Futsal Competition and The Jockey Club Basketball Competition, the Club is the title sponsor for one of the community participation programmes, The Jockey Club Vitality Run, which was held in March alongside the Shing Mun River in Sha Tin. With a record-breaking turnout of over 5,300 people of all ages and abilities, they took part in 3km and 10km races, enjoying the fun of running.

“Sports” is one of the strategic focus areas of the Club’s charitable donations. It supports a wide range of sporting initiatives, with an emphasis on making sports fun and accessible to all citizens. By encouraging different segments of the community to take part in sports, the Club aims to help them build a healthy lifestyle. Playing sports can also help instil positive energy into the community, which aligns with the Club’s objectives.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charity and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2017/18, the Club made a record return to the Government of HK$22.6 billion in duty and profits tax and contributed HK$1.2 billion to the Lotteries Fund. Approved charity donations were HK$4.2 billion. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world’s top ten charity donors. The Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.