The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced on Tuesday that it would provide “high-quality technical support” to the tune of 50 million yuan (US$6.9 million) for the equestrian events at the National Games later this year.
This help would be in addition to the HK$450 million (US$57.3 million) the club planned provide as the sole partner sponsor for the Hong Kong competition region.
There would also be support for the National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the National Special Olympic Games in the Guangdong competition region.
In a press release, the club said its contribution reflected “its support for national sporting events and its commitment to promoting sports development in collaboration with mainland authorities”.
The club said it would provide technical support to the equestrian events of the National Games in six areas: venue design, horse welfare, anti-doping measures, stable management, event service and support, and publicity and community engagement.
The club would also deploy an expert team to provide support and equipment for the events, with the aim of helping to ensure the events are conducted to a high standard.
In addition, HKJC would support official activities, volunteer services and promotional work in the Guangdong Competition Region.
To mark the occasion, a signing ceremony was held at the club’s Sha Tin Clubhouse. Among those attending were Cui Jian, the director general of the Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau, Li Shuguang, the deputy director general of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HK SAR, and Yeung Tak-keung, head of the National Games Coordination Office in Hong Kong.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Jockey Club’s CEO, said the club had long been a staunch supporter of the nation’s major sports events, including the equestrian events of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and the recent 19th Hangzhou Asian Games.
He said the club hoped its participation would “not only contribute to the Games’ success but also further develop equestrian sport at the national level”, especially within the Greater Bay Area.
Cui said the club’s support, including for volunteer services and promotional campaigns in the Guangdong Competition Region, had helped advance the vision of a “green, inclusive, open and clean” National Games.
He added that Guangdong and Hong Kong had always stood “together with one heart” and he encouraged continued collaboration.
The National Games, held once every four years, is the nation’s largest multi-sports event. This year will be the first time Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau will be co-hosts.
The National Games will be held from November 9 to November 21, with the equestrian events taking place in Shenzhen’s Guangming District from November 10 to 19.
The two other competitions will take place from December 8 to 15.
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