Gay Games ‘will bring out Hong Kong’ – but no government funding and education ‘a long process’
- Postponed event set to attract 30,000 participants and spectators to the city in November, but has faced challenges
- Organisers raised over US$3million from sponsors in absence of government funding, and hope to help boost tourism and develop Hong Kong’s sports economy
This year’s Gay Games, to be hosted by Hong Kong, is expected to welcome over 30,000 participants and spectators to the city in November.
Co-hosted with Guadalajara, Mexico, the 11th edition of the international multisport event and cultural gathering is heading to both Asia and Latin America for the first time in its 40-year history.
And the organisers have promised that the sports featured “will really bring out Hong Kong” when the Games commence.
“We have trail running making its debut,” Bon Ng, the Games’ director of sports, said. “We are looking at locations either on Lantau or Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong is among the world’s best trail-running locations, which is why we already have races like the HK 100 in the city.”
Other new events include the lightsabre competition as part of the fencing programme, while dodgeball and ultimate disc are included, the latter as an exhibition sport to be played at King’s Park Sports Ground.
