Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor speaks at the Welcome Home Ceremony for the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games on Oct 18, 2021. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government hosted on Monday a ceremony to officially welcome home the Hong Kong, China delegation to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Ma On Shan Sports Centre.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor officiated at the ceremony and presented certificates of commendation to the Hong Kong athletes in recognition of their perseverance and exemplary show of sportsmanship at the Games.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor officiated at the ceremony and presented certificates of commendation to the Hong Kong athletes in recognition of their perseverance and exemplary show of sportsmanship at the Games

Lam said that the athletes with disabilities had devoted great effort and endured arduous training over the years in order to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

The athletes' strong will and hard work in the competitions fully demonstrated their admirable sportsmanship and perseverance, Lams aid.

The government will continue to allocate more resources to promote the Hong Kong sports industry, benefitting athletes with disabilities and other athletes, she added.

ALSO READ: Badminton: Chu Man-kai bags 5th medal for HK at Paralympics

Lam expressed the hope that these measures would nurture more elite athletes for Hong Kong to bring glory home in international competitions.

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games was held between Aug 24 and Sept 5 in Tokyo, Japan. A total of 24 Hong Kong athletes took part in eight competition events at the Games, including archery, athletics, boccia, equestrian sport, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair fencing and badminton, which was a newly added sport in this Paralympic Games.

After fierce competition, the Hong Kong delegation bagged a total of five medals at the Games, comprising two silver medals in boccia and badminton and three bronze medals in table tennis, boccia and badminton.

The commendable performances of the Hong Kong athletes fully demonstrated their strong will and exceptional talent. Their achievements also inspired other people with disabilities in Hong Kong.

READ MORE: Chan Ho-yuen wins badminton bronze at Tokyo Paralympics

Also greeting the athletes at today's ceremony were the Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui Ying-wai; Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Joe Wong Chi-cho; Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Ida Lee Bik-sai; Commissioner for Sports Yeung Tak-keung; and Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong Kenichi Okada. 

Also present were Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Wang Kai-bo; Honorary President of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled York Chow; and President of the HKPC & SAPD Jenny Fung.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (centre) attends the Welcome Home Ceremony for the Hong Kong, China delegation to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games on Oct 18, 2021. Also present were (back row, from left)  Commissioner for Sports Yeung Tak-keung, Chef de Mission of the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Wu Siu-ling, President of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled Jenny Fung; Honorary President of the HKPC & SAPD York Chow; Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Wang Kaibo, the Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui Ying-wai,  Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong Kenichi Okada, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Joe Wong Chi-cho, Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Ida Lee Bik-sai, Chairman of the HKPC & SAPD James Lam, and the athletes who participated in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)