Hong Kong, China, December 28, 2023: Organised by the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), with the support of the Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province and its associated organisations, the "2023/24 SF&OC Greater Bay Area (GBA) Youth Sports Exchange Programme" set off on December 27 for a four-day visit to Guangzhou, Dongguan and Shunde.
The delegation, led by SF&OC Honorary Secretary General Mr. Edgar Yang, comprises more than 70 members including young athletes, coaches and team leaders from badminton, softball and basketball. They will take part in sports exchange activities, joint training and friendly matches alongside athletes from the Guangdong Province.
Mr. Yang said: "We will continue to work closely with sports organisations in the mainland and organise youth exchange activities to provide opportunities for young athletes to learn from each other, with an objective to raise competitiveness and standards.
“The development of sports and infrastructure in the Greater Bay Area has been rapid. Hong Kong and other cities in the Bay Area can leverage their respective advantages and collaborate with each other to further expand the development of sports and cultural industries together."
Among the participants are young basketball players from the "Be with You" programme under the collaboration of the ICBC (Asia) Charitable Foundation and Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups. It is the first time for the young players to visit other cities of the Bay Area and take part in sports exchange activities with fellows from the Guangdong Province.
In addition to sports exchanges, the delegation will visit cultural facilities in Dongguan and Shunde on the third and fourth day, such as Qinghui Garden and Shunde Museum, to cultivate a sense of national identity and patriotism through learning about the history of the Motherland.
SF&OC would like to extend its gratitude to the Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province and its associated organisations, as well as participating member sports associations for their support to the "2023/24 SF&OC Greater Bay Area Youth Sports Exchange Programme".
(Issued by: The Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China. December 27, 2023)
