The 15th National Games, which will be held in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau on November 9-21 next year, started its one-year countdown on Saturday.
The ceremony of the one-year countdown to the 15th National Games was held in Largo do Senado (議慤癸품뒈) on Saturday, and a fun walk activity was held as well, with the participation of about 650 locals including young local athletes as well as local volunteers.
The walk started from the city’s main square, Largo do Senado, passed by the Financial Services Bureau (DSF) and the Catholic Cathedral before returning to the starting point.
Preparatory Office for the Organisation of the Macau Competition Zone of the 15th National Games and the 12th National Games for People with Disabilities Director Pun Weng Kun told reporters on the sidelines of the activity that the preparatory work for the Macau-held competition was progressing in an orderly manner, and that Macau would also organise volunteers to participate in large-scale activities and train them in their hospitality skills.
Macau has been tasked with hosting competitive sporting events comprising table tennis, women‘s volleyball, 3x3 basketball and under-18 men’s basketball, as well as karate as part of the multi-sport event.
The multi-sporting event, being the first time that the two special administrative regions – Macau and Hong Kong – are to be National Games co-hosts, will have its opening ceremony in Guangzhou and the closing event in Shenzhen.
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng said in a video message that the Macau government attaches great importance to the preparatory work for next year’s Games, adding that under the coordination and guidance of the country’s General Administration of Sport, and with the close cooperation between Guangdong and Hong Kong, Macau was now embarking on the preparatory work in an orderly manner in respect of the hardware and software facilities, competitions, hospitality and transport, according to a Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) statement on Saturday,
In addition, the external display screens at Macau Tower, Fisherman’s Wharf and Macau six integrated resorts were illuminated between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday, displaying the message that the Games will be held on November 9 next year, and also started the one-year countdown to the Games.
Some 650 people walk through Largo do Senado to celebrate the one-year countdown of the 15th National Games on Saturday. – Photo: Preparatory Office for the Organisation of the Macau Competition Zone of the 15th National Games and the 12th National Games for People with Disabilities
