A senior central government official overseeing sports on Friday praised this year’s National Games – co-hosted by Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau – as a resounding and unforgettable success.

The comment by Tong Lixin, deputy director of China’s General Administration of Sport, came in the run-up to the closing ceremony for the Games in Shenzhen at 8pm.

He said the success was the result of a joint team effort and expressed gratitude to all participating parties and athletes.

“The organising committee of the 15th National Games has implemented the principles of green, shared, open and connected development earnestly in the hosting of the Games,” Tong said.

“It has fulfilled the requirements of ensuring the Games are simple, safe and exciting.

"All athletes gave their utmost and achieved outstanding results, while all staff strived for excellence and showed full dedication.

"The 15th National Games has successfully concluded as an unforgettable event.”

According to Tong, eight world records, five world youth records, as well as 13 Asian records were set in the Games, including athletics, swimming, shooting, weightlifting, track cycling and climbing.

Of the 37 contingents at the Games, 31 secured at least one gold medal while 35 had athletes with a place on the podium.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan thanked the central government for making Hong Kong a co-host.

“The events drew large crowds to the competition venues while many more followed the Games on television and online,” he said.

"A vibrant sporting atmosphere was created across the city, with the exciting events and outstanding performances by athletes becoming the talk of the town."

Chan also said the Greater Bay Area demonstrated its capability to organise large-scale events to the world by co-hosting the cross-boundary marathon and road cycling race.

Hong Kong concluded the Games with a record haul of nine gold, two silver and eight bronze medals.

For the first time, the city captured golds in swimming, sailing, fencing and rugby sevens.

The SAR athletes' historic achievements vindicated the administration in the direction it had been taking in elite athlete training and sports policy, he added.

They also present a golden opportunity for the city’s sports development, and the government will work together with all sectors of society to transform short-term results into long-term momentum, Chan said.