National Olympic chiefs could head to Hong Kong for annual assembly – with World Beach Games bid in the works
- City’s sports chief hints at bid to host World Beach Games as well as Association of National Olympic Committees.
- Timothy Fok Tsun-ting makes announcement during Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards press conference, with voting now open to public
More than 200 national Olympic chiefs could head to Hong Kong in 2024 for their annual general assembly, according to sports chief Timothy Fok Tsun-ting hinted on Saturday
The city has some ties to the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) – Hong Kong bid on the 2021 World Beach Games in 2016 after two failed bids to host the Asian Games, but were unsuccessful because of a lack of government support.
This summer’s ANOC Beach Games were finally handed over to Bali for August 5-12, with around 1,500 athletes from more than 100 countries set to compete in 14 sports.
With the announcement of the 2025 host country expected this summer in Bali, Hong Kong has stepped up its efforts to host the ANOC assembly in the fourth quarter of next year.
“With all of the pandemic restrictions lifted, now is the best time for Hong Kong to host international sporting events, whether it’s the assembly or the Games,” Fok said at Saturday’s Cathay 2022 Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards public voting press conference.
“In our sporting history, we have only hosted the East Asian Games [in 2009]. We have our facilities, and everything can happen now with the cooperation of the Greater Bay Area.”
