The head of the National Games Coordination Office, Yeung Tak-keung, on Friday said he hoped the first-ever cash prizes would incentivise para athletes to perform well in the upcoming Games.

His remarks come as 280 athletes – the largest contingent from the SAR to date – are gearing up to compete in the National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the National Special Olympic Games, co-hosted by Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong for the first time.

Speaking on RTHK's BackChat programme, Yeung said SAR podium toppers in some of the events stood to get cash prizes from the Hong Kong Jockey Club of up to HK$187,500 for individuals.

"Over the past 10 years or so, we have been promoting the development of disabled sports. And [with] our efforts, the level has been improving, and in the past two Paralympics, results so that our athletes are capable of doing well at international level," he said.

"So this time with more incentives, I hope that will also encourage our athletes to do well in the coming Games, not only in the events in Hong Kong but also in other events that will be held in Guangdong and Macao," he added.

The Games are set to be held between December 8 and 15 across the three regions, though some special events would start earlier, beginning on Saturday.

Hong Kong will stage four events: boccia at the Kai Tak Sports Park, wheelchair fencing at Ma On Shan Sports Centre and two types of para table tennis at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre.

Yeung said the city's para athletes had been performing at a high level in boccia events internationally, pointing to the three gold medals they managed to win at the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games.

He noted that while the National Games for Persons with Disabilities is expected to see "very high" levels of competition among athletes from provinces, the National Special Olympic Games is more about "general participation at all levels".

The Games will see 40 sports in total, with Hong Kong athletes competing in half of them.

The Jockey Club has announced cash prizes of HK$187,500 and HK$375,000, respectively, for individual and team gold medal winners; HK$93,750 and HK$187,500 for silver medal winners; and HK$37,500 and HK$75,000 for bronze winners.

"We think the upcoming two Games are a good opportunity to promote disabled sports and awareness of the development of disabled sports in Hong Kong and promote social inclusion," Yeung said.