Hong Kong leader hails record medal haul at Asian Games
Hong Kong Chief Executive praised the city's record 54 medals, including 11 golds, at the 20th Asian Games. She highlighted historic wins, young athletes' emergence, and HK$8.1 billion government sports investment. The government plans to increase sports funding by 20% over five years.
The Hong Kong Chief Executive commended the city's record-breaking performance at the 20th Asian Games during a ceremony on 26 October 2026. The delegation of over 800 people, including about 580 elite athletes, competed in 38 sports and won 11 gold, 19 silver and 24 bronze medals – a total of 54, surpassing all previous records.
She noted several historic achievements: the first men's singles tennis gold, a third consecutive men's rugby sevens title, and squash's first mixed doubles gold and silver. Rowing, sailing and windsurfing teams also saw strong medal hauls. The Chief Executive highlighted the emergence of post-2000s young athletes and the mentorship from experienced competitors, calling it a sign of elite sports' succession.
Beyond medals, she praised the athletes' fighting spirit, citing examples of those competing through injuries and battling back from deficits. She thanked the Hong Kong Sports Institute, the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, various sports associations, coaches and medical teams for their support. She also acknowledged the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Athlete Incentive Programme, which awarded prize money to medallists.
The Chief Executive outlined government sports investment of about HK$8.1 billion in the 2026-27 fiscal year, a near 70 per cent increase from a decade ago. This includes about HK$1 billion from the Elite Athletes Development Fund for training, direct financial support, and sports science and medicine. She said cumulative resources would rise by 20 per cent over the next five years.
She referenced the first five-year sports plan released last month, which aims to develop elite, event-based, professional and industrialised sports. Her latest Policy Address proposed a three-year sports administration training programme for retired athletes to help them build careers and nurture management talent.
The Chief Executive concluded by saying the Asian Games may be over, but the spirit of perseverance endures. She wished athletes continued success on future sporting stages.
