CE John Lee honours Hong Kong athletes for record-breaking Asian Games haul

A commendation ceremony for the Hong Kong, China delegation to the 20th Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya 2026) was held on Monday at the Kowloon Park Sports Centre. Chief Executive John Lee officiated at the event, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC). He presented certificates of commendation to the medallists.

Hong Kong, China secured a record 11 gold, 19 silver and 24 bronze medals for a total of 54, surpassing its previous best performance at the Hangzhou Asian Games. The tally placed the delegation ninth overall in the medal table.

Hong Kong Jockey Club chairman Martin Liao attended to celebrate the results. The Club announced it would award a total of HK$37.5 million through the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme to more than 110 medallists — HK$5 million more than for the Hangzhou Games — in recognition of their achievements.

Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said: “Once again the Hong Kong, China Delegation showed our city’s can-do spirit with an outstanding display of skill, resilience and true sportsmanship. Our sincere congratulations to every medallist on their success, which has truly inspired us all. Sport is a key area of focus for the Club in fulfilling its purpose of acting for the betterment of society.”

He noted that the Jockey Club has long supported elite and community sports development, including funding the construction of the Hong Kong Sports Institute, and said the Club was delighted to recognise the outstanding athletes through the incentive scheme.

Chief Executive John Lee said Hong Kong athletes had delivered an outstanding performance, winning a record number of gold medals and overall medals while bringing honour to the country and Hong Kong. He expressed pride in the team.

Lee highlighted several historic moments, including Hong Kong’s first men’s singles tennis gold medal, the men’s rugby sevens team’s third consecutive title, and the squash team’s first clean sweep of gold and silver in the mixed doubles. He also welcomed the emergence of young athletes competing alongside experienced veterans, describing it as a sign of continuity in elite sport.

The athletes’ fighting spirit on the field moved the people of Hong Kong, Lee said. Even when dealing with injuries or trailing in contests, they gave their all and persevered to the end, earning genuine admiration. The government attaches great importance to sports development, he added, with related measures set out in Hong Kong’s first five-year plan and the latest Policy Address. Resources will continue to be invested; in the 2026–27 financial year, spending on sports development reaches about HK$8.1 billion — nearly 70 per cent higher than a decade earlier — including about HK$1 billion for the Hong Kong Sports Institute. Over the next five years, cumulative resources for sports are expected to rise by a further 20 per cent.

Lee said the never-say-die spirit shown by Hong Kong athletes can unite society, foster a stronger sports culture and encourage more people to take part in sport, contributing to the nation’s efforts to build a sporting powerhouse.