LettersHong Kong Gay Games 2022: let sports venues be booked in our name

Leisure and Cultural Services Department procedures only allow bookings up to six months in advance for private organisations. This presents a logistical challenge for the Gay Games

Verbal support needs to be backed up by action on the ground

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The French team march onto the field during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Gay Games at the Jean Bouin Stadium in Paris on August 4 that year. The Hong Kong edition in 2022 will feature 36 sporting events, expected to attract 12,000 participants and 75,000 spectators, and generate about HK$1billion in the local economy. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:14am, 18 Jun 2021Updated: 6:15am, 18 Jun 2021

We are the organisers of the Gay Games 11 Hong Kong, which will be held in November 2022. The outpouring of positive public support following the “divisive” comments by certain legislators last week has humbled us, and made us more determined in our mission to ensure the successful hosting of the Games in our beloved city.

For those not familiar with the Games, it is a celebration of unity, diversity and inclusion, a sports and cultural event where everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability or background. Its principles are Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best. The event started in 1982, is held every four years, and previous host cities include San Francisco, Sydney, New York, Amsterdam and Chicago.

The last Games held in Paris in 2018 were an international sporting event supported by many sports organisations and government agencies including the French Olympic Committee, the inter-ministerial delegate to major international sporting events, the French minister of sports, and the mayor of Paris. For the Games in the US in 2014, then president Barack Obama made the keynote opening speech!

The Games will have 36 different sports events, including three new sports featuring Hong Kong’s uniqueness (dragon boat racing, trail running and esports). The Games will showcase Hong Kong’s world-class sports facilities and public infrastructure, putting forth Hong Kong as a destination of choice for large-scale, international sports events. It is anticipated to attract 12,000 participants and 75,000 spectators, generating about HK$1 billion in the local economy.

Why are we seeking help?

For a massive multi-sports event such as the Games, complex logistical requirements must be fulfilled for each venue, which entails securing the venues at least one year in advance. As of this month, we have secured 21 private venues out of the total 56 venues required.

For government sports facilities, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department’s procedures only allow bookings up to six months in advance for private organisations, which presents a challenge for us.