Message from the Chairman

Since the closing of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (the Association) has been doing preparatory work in anticipation of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.  Local Para sports elite training turned a new page in 2017 following the implementation of the Pilot Scheme for the Elite Vote Support System for Para Sports while athletes and coaches have been actively participating in numerous qualifiers to gain entries to the Games.  Just as everything was going smoothly, the novel coronavirus outbreak seriously affected the Hong Kong team’s preparation and even the Paralympic Games initially scheduled in 2020.

Experiencing changes we must unite, persevere, remain calm, and flexibly face different challenges.  In fact, these attributes are precisely the treasured qualities that athletes possess.  Coaches and athletes still maintained a certain intensity of training where international and local competitions were cancelled and training venues were closed.  The Association and the Hong Kong Sports Institute’s supporting team also utilized every means possible to provide adequate relevant support, with the goal to minimise negative impact on their training preparation.

The Association would like to thank all Government departments including the Home Affairs Bureau, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and Hong Kong Sports Institute for their assistance ensuring Hong Kong team could stay focused on their preparation.

In 2021, we welcome a very special edition of the Paralympics – the first to be postponed, held behind closed doors, and scheduled under the challenge of the pandemic. Hong Kong has a total of 24 athletes qualified to the Tokyo Games, participating in eight sports, and 12 of them will make their first appearance in the sporting world’s biggest stage.

The competition will be carried out under multiple rigorous anti-pandemic measures, and the preparation was full of challenges. I would like to express my gratitude to athletes, coaches, supporting personnel, volunteers and members in the Secretariat.  I also sincerely thank the sponsors for their support and carefully prepared various supplies and pandemic prevention items for the Delegation.  In the meantime, I believe that the public will surely stay tuned for the performance of Hong Kong team through various media and cheer for our athletes!

On behalf of the Association, I wish all athletes to break through their limits and find success in the Paralympic Games!

James Lam
Chairman
Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled