Athlete selections for the next edition of the Hong Kong Games will begin next month, organisers said at a launch ceremony on Friday.

After a break due to the pandemic, the 9th edition of the government-run Games will be held from April next year.

Between now and then, selections for athletes to represent Hong Kong's 18 districts will take place, followed by pre-event training for those picked, to enhance their skills and meet their teammates.

The same eight sports as last time will be covered, with competitions in athletics, badminton, basketball, futsal, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball.

The chairman of the organising committee, Patrick Yung, said separate competitions for different age groups are being introduced for the individual events, splitting the athletes into the under 15s, those aged 16 and 17, and the over 18s.

In addition, there will be boccia, table tennis and swimming competitions for people with intellectual disabilities, wheelchair basketball, and demonstrations of urban sports events, such as climbing and skateboarding.