Macau, China, March 10, 2020: The Sports and Olympic Committee of Macau, China, has sent a letter of condolence to neighbours Hong Kong regarding the passing of Mr. Arnaldo de Oliveira “Sonny” Sales.
A co-founder of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr. Sales passed away on March 6. He was 100 years old.
The President of the Sports and Olympic Committee of Macau, China, Mr. Charles Lo, sent sincere condolences to his counterpart in Hong Kong, Mr. Timothy Fok.
“We here at the Sports and Olympic Committee of Macau, China, are saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Arnaldo de Oliveira Sales, Honorary Life President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China,” wrote Mr. Lo.
“Being one of the most influential figures in the Macanese community and Portuguese in Hong Kong, as well as one of the founders of the Federation, Mr. Sales was not only an active and key figure but also a pioneer of the Hong Kong sports movement for more than half a century.
“His long service and dedication to the development of sport and the Olympic movement in Hong Kong will be remembered for ever. With his sad demise, Hong Kong has lost a great sport professional and stalwart.
“At this moment of great sorrow, on behalf of everyone at the Sports and Olympic Committee of Macau, China, I would like to offer our deepest condolences and sympathy to Mr. Sales’ family and to the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.”
Mr. Lo is Chairman of the OCA Media Committee and a member of the OCA Executive Board, while Mr. Fok is OCA Vice President for East Asia.
Mr. Sales held a number of positions within the Olympic Committee in Hong Kong, China, as Honorary Secretary General, Chairman, President from 1967 to 1998 and Honorary Life President.
With his vision and utmost effort, Hong Kong was retained as a separate sporting entity after the changeover of sovereignty in 1997.
Mr Sales was Chairman of the OCA Rules Committee for over two decades and was instrumental in drafting the first ever OCA Constitution. He developed the OCA Constitution in its current form.