Hong Kong, China NOC postpones 2019 awards to 2021, cancels 2020 edition

Track cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze is one of Hong Kong’s most successful athletes. © Reuters
Track cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze is one of Hong Kong’s most successful athletes. © Reuters

Hong Kong, China, September 3, 2020: The Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China has postponed its 2019 annual dinner and awards presentation to March 2021 and decided to cancel the 2020 ceremony.

The SF&OC made the announcement on September 3 in relation to the prestigious Cathay Pacific 2019 Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards (HKSSA) - known as the "Oscars" of Hong Kong sport.

The 2019 celebration was due to be held in March 2020 but was postponed to September 2020 because of COVID-19. 

With Hong Kong still affected by the pandemic and with stringent measures in place by the government, organisers feel the event cannot be held this year so have put it back further – to one year after the original plan.

The result of the public voting and selection by media and judging panel of the Cathay Pacific 2019 Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards was finalised in February 2020 and these results will remain the same.

In a statement, the SF&OC said: “Because of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the Tokyo Olympic Games and the Sanya Asian Beach Games have also been postponed to 2021. All international and local international competitions in 2020 have been cancelled or rescheduled to 2021. 

“With the pandemic ongoing and travel restrictions imposed in many countries, Hong Kong athletes are unable to attain international achievements in 2020. The Federation has, therefore, decided to cancel the 2020 HKSSA. 

“In case some of the international competitions were held at the beginning of 2020 or may be held at the end of this year, which is quite doubtful, it was decided that achievements attained by athletes in such competitions will be included in the 2021 HKSSA. 

“The Awards Presentation Ceremony of the Cathay Pacific 2021 HKSSA is scheduled to take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Expo Centre in March 2022.

“Once again, the Federation would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation of the support and understanding from the following organisations including Title Sponsor - Cathay Pacific Airways Limited; Subvented Organisation - Leisure and Cultural Services Department; Principal Partner - New World Development Company Limited; Official Fitness Partner - Fitness First; Official Partner - Fila Marketing (Hong Kong) Limited, Panasonic, Secret9 Production House, JM Network Limited; and Media Partner: Ming Pao Newspapers Limited.

Source: http://sportstar2019.hkolympic.org/ and Facebook : SF&OC 港協暨奧委會