Being hosted by Macau for the first time, the ISF World School Basketball Championship kicked off yesterday at Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion, with Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U officiating at the opening ceremony and International School Sport Federation (ISF) President Laurent Petrynka and Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) Director Kong Chi Meng delivering opening speeches.
Organised by the International School Sport Federation and co-hosted by the Education and Youth Development Bureau, the eight-day tournament taking place through next Tuesday involves more than 600 secondary school students in 37 teams from 20 countries or regions competing in 117 matches at the Sports Complex of the University of Macau (UM), Mong Ha Sports Centre and Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion. The women’s and men’s finals will be held on the last tournament day at Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion.
DSEDJ Director Kong Chi Meng said in his opening remarks: “It is particularly meaningful for the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) to host this world competition for the first time in the name of Macau, China… It is a rare opportunity for cultural exchange for student-athletes from all over the world to display their athletic talents and tenacity on this stage. It also broadens the horizons of Macau students,” adding that he expected “the mutual sparring and exchange of experience” to increase the delegates’ mutual understanding while strengthening their friendships.
According to Kong, in order to enable athletes from all over the world to experience Macau’s education, sport and cultural characteristics, the Macau Organising Committee has arranged for them to stay at the University of Macau’s (UM) Colleges, so that while experiencing the campus’s features, they can also learn about the development of Macau’s tertiary education. A cultural day has also been arranged for the delegates to get to know Macau’s harmonious coexistence of Chinese and Western cultures.
Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Kong said he believed that the “large-scale world basketball tournament” will help Macau organise other large-scale games in the future: “This is a good way for Macau to absorb experience from the perspective of students and athletes, and for us, such as the MSAR government and the community, to organise large-scale games”.
In his speech, Petrynka conveyed his special acknowledgement to the Education and Youth Development Bureau: “Your commitment not only to sports but also to school sports emphasises the well-being of future generations”. He also pointed out that basketball not only captivates but also unites people globally.
After the ceremony, the opening match began at 3:30 p.m. at Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion, during which the Macau Boys’ School Basketball Team won their first match against India, with a 116:30 victory.
The Macau Girls’ School Basketball Team members march into the arena during yesterday’s opening ceremony of the ISF World School Basketball Championship at Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion. – Photo: Yuki Lei
