Chief Executive John Lee has signalled Hong Kong’s readiness to join forces again with Guangdong and Macao in hosting future international sporting events, building on the momentum of their collaboration during last year's National Games.

He said the National Games, jointly held by the three regions for the first time in 2025, reflected the nation’s strong backing for the coordinated development of the Greater Bay Area.

Speaking at a commendation ceremony for the SAR delegations to the National Games, the National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the National Special Olympic Games, Lee said the three governments would use the successful organisation of the events as a new starting point to deepen sports cooperation.

“The collaboration among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao has led to the successful hosting of a streamlined, safe and spectacular sporting event, showcasing the fruitful outcomes of close cooperation and marking a milestone in the integrated development of the Greater Bay Area,” he said.

"This laid the foundation for more large-scale international events to be held together in future."

The chief executive also paid tribute to the athletes, underscoring the dedication behind their achievements.

“We see the excellence of Hong Kong athletes on the field, and we must also recognise the sweat they shed during training, the injuries they overcame and the courage to continually challenge their limits," he said.

"They have demonstrated extraordinary perseverance and an unwavering will in the pursuit of excellence, whether in times of hardship or prosperity.”

Lee reaffirmed the government’s investment in sports, noting that the budget for sports development in the current financial year exceeds HK$9.2 billion - more than double the HK$4.3 billion allocated a decade ago.

During the ceremony, Lee presented certificates to top-performing athletes, including cyclist Ceci Lee, who earned the most gold medals of any Hong Kong athlete at last year's Games, as well as the gold-winning men’s foil fencing team and men’s rugby sevens team.

Hong Kong sent its largest-ever delegation to the National Games and achieved its best results to date in both the National Games and the Special Olympics, marking a historic milestone for the city’s sporting community.