Hong Kong, China, November 24, 2022: The Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) has issued guidelines on the playing of the national anthem and the raising of the regional flag to all National Sports Associations.
The guidelines, issued on November 22, follow discussions with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and refers to Hong Kong athletes and teams competing in international events.
“The guidelines are to ensure that proper respect is afforded to our National Anthem and Regional Flag. SF&OC reminds all NSAs to strictly abide by the relevant instructions,” the SF&OC said in a press statement.
“A meeting was held between SF&OC and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau earlier concerning the incident in which a wrong song was played as our National Anthem in the Asian Rugby Sevens Series.”
The guidelines stipulate that:
*All NSAs should familiarize themselves with the ordinances/guidelines concerning the use of the National Anthem and Regional Flag provided at the website of The Protocol Division Government Secretariat of HKSAR Government and ensure that the use of the National Anthem and Regional Flag are in full compliance with these ordinances/guidelines.
*SF&OC will provide toolkits containing the correct National Anthem and Regional Flags for NSAs. The team leader assigned by the relevant NSA is responsible for bringing along the toolkit and passing it to the event organizer.
*In case an error is found in the playing of the National Anthem or raising of the Regional Flag during their participation in international sports events, athletes and teams should use their hands to display the sign of “T” for expressing objection to the error made and call for a halt to the proceedings for immediate correction.
Issued by: Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, November 22, 2022.