CHINA’S 15TH NATIONAL GAMES OPEN IN GUANGDONG, CO-HOSTED BY HONG KONG, MACAO

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- China’s 15th National Games officially opened on Nov 9 at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center, marking the first time the nation’s premier multi-sport event is jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

Held every four years, the games bring together elite athletes from across mainland China and the two Special Administrative Regions (SARs). This year’s edition features 37 delegations, including all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, the Hong Kong and Macao SARs, and three industrial sports associations.

According to a statement, more than 14,000 athletes are competing in the main events, while another 11,000 are taking part in mass-participation competitions.

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The opening ceremony combined a cultural showcase with official athlete protocol elements, highlighting regional cooperation within the Greater Bay Area and the role of sport in youth development and exchange.

A torch relay that began on Nov 2 across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao culminated inside the stadium, where the cauldron was jointly lit by track star Su Bingtian, Olympic fencing champion Cheung Ka Long, and swimmer Li Yi.

The artistic segment, themed around the Greater Bay Area, incorporated music, dance and visual projections celebrating Lingnan culture and the coastal region’s urban vitality.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Kirsty Coventry, IOC honorary president Thomas Bach, and several overseas guests attended the ceremony, reflecting the games’ growing international profile and China’s ambition to enhance its sports development.

The 15th National Games will run until Nov 21, with competitions staged across multiple cities in the Greater Bay Area.

-- BERNAMA