Hong Kong Customs has mobilized its largest-ever volunteer contingent, comprising 130 serving and retired staff members, to provide essential logistical support for journalists covering the 15th National Games at the Main Media Center (MMC). This significant deployment underscores the city’s commitment to facilitating the major multi-sport event, which spans across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
Commitment to Seamless Media Operations
The extensive volunteer team has been strategically placed within the MMC to assist international and domestic media representatives throughout the Games. Yesterday, Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Hezzer Chan Tsz-tat, visited the team to offer encouragement and emphasize the importance of their role in the national event.
Commissioner Chan highlighted that the volunteers underwent specialized professional training to ensure they were fully prepared to handle the diverse demands of a major international media hub. Their readiness is crucial, as the National Games represents a significant showcase of athletic excellence and regional collaboration.
Providing practical guidance, Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mark Hui Kim-ming, shared the service philosophy guiding their efforts. He stressed that the volunteers should approach their duties with the same high standards utilized by the Customs department, defining their mission as “acting with confidence and serving with courtesy.”
The volunteer mission serves as a visible extension of Hong Kong’s operational capabilities beyond its traditional law enforcement mandate, demonstrating the city’s ability to host and support large-scale national events.
Transforming Spaces for Global Reporting
The volunteers’ initial responsibilities focused on the complex preparatory work required before the MMC’s official opening. This included intensive tasks such as setting up the venue, testing critical facilities, and coordinating the transformation of the main venue—originally a basketball court—into a fully operational media center capable of handling thousands of reporters.
One participating volunteer shared the challenges of this conversion, noting the immense attention to detail required to convert the sports facility into a sophisticated reporting environment. “We are tasked with countless details, ensuring everything from power supply to connectivity is perfectly set for the media,” the volunteer stated.
This effort is central to ensuring journalists can deliver timely news coverage of the Games, which bring together athletes from across the country.
Showcasing Hong Kong Hospitality
Beyond technical support, a key objective for the volunteers is to act as cultural ambassadors. Many participants expressed their hope that, through this cross-boundary event linking Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, they could effectively convey Hong Kong’s distinctive culture of enthusiasm and politeness to visitors.
Another volunteer commented on the broader impact, saying, “We hope to use this opportunity to introduce our Hong Kong spirit and gracious hospitality to diverse international and mainland audiences, ensuring they leave with a positive impression of our city.”
The deployment of this unprecedented volunteer force reflects a unified effort across the special administrative region’s government departments to deliver a successful and well-organized 15th National Games. As the Games move forward, the performance and professionalism of the Customs volunteers will be instrumental in shaping the media’s experience and the event’s global perception.
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