Hong Kong athletes attend the Opening Ceremony of the 19th Asian Games at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou on Sept 23, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong athletes have won kudos for their record-breaking performance at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou by clinching a total of 53 medals -- eight golds, 16 silvers and 29 bronzes -- as Asia’s premier sporting event closes in the Zheijiang provincial capital on Sunday.

Chief Executive Lee Ka-chiu on Sunday praised the special administrative region’s athletes’ perseverance and distinguished performance, saying they’ve lived up to the SAR’s expectations with their biggest ever medals haul. 

Hong Kong athletes have also made history in many other events at the Asian Games, including winning the first gold medal in golf and in the women’s road race of cycling, plus a historic appearance in the semi-finals of the men’s football competition.

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A welcome home ceremony will be held on Saturday for the Hong Kong, China team by the SAR government and the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China

“Hong Kong athletes have endured arduous training over the years and fought hard in the competitions, displaying professional sportsmanship. I believe that all Hong Kong people, like myself, are extremely proud of the grace shown by all our athletes at the Games,” Lee said. 

Pledging to make every effort to promote sports development in the SAR, he said the government will introduce suitable measures to boost sports culture in the community and raise the performance level of sports. For the 2023-24 financial year, the SAR government has set aside about HK$1.18 billion ($151 million) in funding for work on supporting elite sports.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, who’s in Hangzhou to attend the Asian Games’ closing ceremony, visited the Asian Games Athletes Village on Sunday and met with 10 Hong Kong athletes.

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In his social media page, Chan thanked the athletes for bringing glory to Hong Kong. He said the SAR government will continue going all out to support elite athletes in their academic studies and sports. This would encourage more young athletes to become full-time athletes and help inject a steady stream of new people into the city’s sports sector.

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung also congratulated the Hong Kong athletes, saying they’ve done their best in demonstrating sportsmanship.

Yeung will receive the Hong Kong, China team at the airport on their return to the city on Monday.

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Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, president of the SAR’s 7th-term Legislative Council, said on his social media page the city’s legislature will spare no efforts, and work with the government and various sectors in promoting sports development and cultivating more elite athletes.

A welcome home ceremony will be held on Saturday for the Hong Kong, China team by the SAR government and the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.