Over 16,000 volunteers have signed up to help out at the 15th National Games and 9th National Special Games this November and December, according to Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law.

Speaking at a pledging ceremony of the Hong Kong Volunteer Programme, Law said the volunteers are aged between 15 and 80, and come from many different backgrounds.

She said they will serve as ambassadors for Hong Kong.

"On the one hand, this shows that Hong Kong is a city with a very long life expectancy, given that we have volunteers who are 80 years old," she said.

"Secondly, regardless of age and background, we can support the two major national sporting events, as long as we have the same principals and passion to serve.”

The minister urged the volunteers to impress visitors through their professionalism and beaming smile.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s star fencer Ryan Choi, who also attended the ceremony, said he and his team are getting ready for the Games.

"Everyone is still a bit tired given that we just ended our break, but I believe we are all professional, so we will start to focus [on training] in the coming two weeks," Choi said.

"When the French and Japanese teams come to the city [for practicing together], we will seek to refine our skills, and compete in the National Games with the best state of body and mind.”

Table tennis player Doo Hoi-kem, for her part, said she will give it her very best at the Games.

"I always compete with national team players in different competitions, and the China Team has a stronger foundation and level than us," Doo conceded.

"Based on past experience, I have to do better when the match starts, or adopt more special techniques to gain an early advantage.”