Guangzhou officials introduced to HK's culture and equine expertise

19/11/2010

Officials of the City of Guangzhou and the Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (GACOG) were treated to a taste of Hong Kong hospitality and culture this evening (19 November) at a celebratory "Hong Kong Night" hosted by The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

The Club has a strong involvement in the 16th Asian Games currently under way in Guangzhou, as it designed and built the equestrian events venue at Conghua, north-east of the city.  It is also providing expert supporting services during the Games including horse transportation, veterinary care and stables management.

Guests at this evening's function included Executive Deputy Secretary-General of GAGOC and Vice Mayor of the Guangzhou Municipal Government Xu Ruisheng; Vice-President of the Olympic Council of Asia Timothy Fok, who is also President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China; and Hong Kong SAR's Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Joshua Law.

Also attending were guests from the Olympic Council of Asia, the International Equestrian Federation and the Asian Equestrian Federation, as well as a number of the Hong Kong athletes currently participating in the Asian Games, including Patrick Lam, Samantha Lam and Kenneth Cheng who are Club-sponsored members of the equestrian team.

The guests were welcomed by Club Deputy Chairman Dr Simon Ip; Stewards Anthony W K Chow, Dr Donald K T Li, Michael T H Lee and Dr Rita Fan Hsu Lai Tai; and Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.

Dr Ip expressed his congratulations to the City of Guangzhou and its Games Organising Committee for putting on such a memorable opening ceremony and such well-organised competitions.  "We at the Club feel honoured to have played a part in bringing these Games to reality, by building the equestrian venue and providing professional supporting services," he said.  "This epitomises the ever-growing sporting and cultural links between Hong Kong and cities on the Mainland".

Dr Ip, who is also President of the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation, noted that the equestrian events of the Guangzhou Asian Games were especially significant as they constituted the first international equine competition yet staged anywhere on the Chinese Mainland.  "This has been made possible by close co-operation between the relevant Government authorities in Hong Kong, on the Mainland and the Jockey Club in establishing an internationally-recognised Specific Equine Disease-Free Zone," he explained.  "This pioneering development exemplifies our strong spirit of co-operation under the One Country, Two Systems principle, and paves the way for the sport's continued growth in this region."

Mr Xu said the Club had been honoured as “Outstanding Contributor, Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games Equestrian Events” in recognition of its significant contributions to the competition.  “The Club has made substantial investment in building the equestrian venues, sending more than 100 professional and technical staff to prepare for and ensure the smooth operation of the events, as well as providing technical support in terms of equestrian facilities, horse management and transportation,” he said.  “All in all, the Club has played a vital role in making the Games’ equestrian events possible.”

Hailing the Club as one of the key investors in Conghua, a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Guangzhou, Xu said the Club would play a pivotal role in developing equestrian sport in the nation’s first Specific Equine Disease-Free Zone there, by turning the equestrian venues into a racehorse training centre after completion of the Asian Games.  “I hope the Club will continue to contribute to the economy of Guangzhou, as well as propel the development of equestrian sport in the country,” he commented.

Mr Fok told the guests that the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games had captured the attentions of Hong Kong people like never before, and there was huge pride and excitement back home about what was happening during these two weeks.

"I am especially delighted to see that Hong Kong has already made its mark in the medals table, and could well be on the way to its most successful Asian Games to date," he said, noting that Hong Kong had sent its largest-ever delegation to an Asian Games, or indeed any international multi-sports event.

"I also feel proud that Hong Kong has been able to make a significant contribution to the successful staging of these Games through the support of The Hong Kong Jockey Club," he added.  "We are most grateful to the Jockey Club for everything it has done, both at home and on the Chinese Mainland, and hope that the 2010 Asian Games will pave the way for even closer co-operation in the years ahead."

Conversion of the Conghua equestrian facilities into new horse training centre after the Games are over will enhance the legacy value of the facilities, Dr Ip noted. The training centre will become an integral part of the Club's racing operations, which is a cornerstone of Hong Kong life.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.