Hong Kong will send its largest-ever delegation of 74 athletes to the 2025 Asian Winter Games, to be held in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, in February.
The athletes said they are hoping to surpass their achievement from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, and aim to boost the popularity of winter sports within Hong Kong through their participation in the Games.
Scheduled for Feb 7 to 14, this marks the third time the nation has hosted the Games, with over 1,500 athletes participating — a record high.
Hong Kong’s athletes will compete in figure skating, short track speed skating, alpine skiing, speed skating, ice hockey, and for the first time, curling — a sort of bowls on ice.
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During a flag presentation ceremony on Wednesday, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui promised that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will continue to provide resources for training elite athletes, offering them direct funding and comprehensive support services.
This includes physical fitness training, sports science, sports medicine, support for synchronous development in their chosen discipline and education, insurance, meals, and accommodation.
She wished the athletes a successful and enjoyable competition, and conveyed the support of all of Hong Kong’s residents.
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During the ceremony, Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, president of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, said there have been great enhancements to the nation’s winter sports facilities and highlighted how athletes, despite environmental constraints, have trained diligently.
This has resulted in the steady growth of winter sports in Hong Kong in recent years, he said, adding that he eagerly anticipates Hong Kong athletes seizing opportunities on larger stages to refine and demonstrate their abilities.
Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, who is leading the delegation, mentioned that the Hong Kong team comprises over 100 members, with the youngest being just 15 years old.
Fok, the lawmaker representing the sports sector, highlighted the challenges faced by the Hong Kong team in preparing for winter sports events. Due to weather and venue limitations, athletes often undergo training abroad or on the Chinese mainland. He expressed appreciation for the resources and support extended by different provinces and cities on the mainland.
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20-year-old alpine skier Adrian Yung Hau-tseun is gearing up for this event, his first major competition since the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Having competed in various international events since the Olympics, he said he has better honed his skills. As a Hong Kong Olympian, he expressed his determination to perform well in the games and to live up to the prestigious title that he feels privileged to hold.
Martin Yan Ho-tin, who has been part of the Hong Kong Men's curling team for 9 years, said he views the Hong Kong, China team's first participation in the Asian Winter Games as highly meaningful. He said he looks forward to the competition, and hopes it will introduce more Hong Kong residents to curling. Yan said the goal of his team for this event is to reach the semifinals, which would serve as a reward to the team members for their hard work and bring joy to the city’s residents.
Fifteen-year-old female curler Judy Chan Ka is one of the youngest athletes in the delegation. Despite her youth, she has been practicing curling for six years and sees the Games as a great opportunity to gain valuable competition experience.
She said that the team will depart for Harbin on Jan 30 to acclimatize to the local competition environment and conduct pre-match practice.
She said the curling team is hoping to clinch a medal, which would promote curling to more residents.
Speed skater Sidney K Chu is set to represent Hong Kong for the second time at the Asian Winter Games. He participated in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and also served as the flag bearer for the Hong Kong delegation at the opening ceremony.
Primarily focusing on short track speed skating, this will be his first international competition in long-track speed skating.
Having been promoting short track speed skating in Hong Kong, he envisions a future in which more local athletes will participate in such international events and even aim for Olympic podium finishes.
