Hong Kong Shines at 14th International Dragon Boat Championships in Italy, Showcasing Spirit and Athletic Excellence

Hong Kong's presence at International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championships held in Ravenna, Italy

Attracting over 7 000 athletes and coaches from 30 different countries and regions, along with 50 000 spectators over six days, the 14th International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) Club Crew World Championships was held in Ravenna, Italy, from September 3 to 8, 2024, with the support from the government of Emilia-Romagna Region and other institutional partners and businesses in Italy. A total of five club teams from Hong Kong with over 200 athletes participated in this championships.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) sponsored the championship to further strengthen Hong Kong's presence in Italian sports and cultural events, as well as to promote Hong Kong as the capital of mega events.

At the VIP dinner held on September 7 (Ravenna time) in Ravenna, Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels Miss Fiona Li thanked the Hong Kong teams for demonstrating the "Hong Kong spirit" during the race. She said that the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is committed to supporting Hong Kong athletes and promoting sports, citing Hong Kong's historic achievement of home-grown athletes capturing two gold medals and two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, as well as outstanding results at the Paralympics Games.

The IDBF will also organise the Asian Championships in Hong Kong in October 2024 and the World Championships in Hong Kong in 2027. Not surprised by Hong Kong being chosen to host these events, Miss Li invited guests at the dinner to visit Hong Kong. "The upcoming dragon boat championships will be the perfect opportunity for you to visit Hong Kong and experience Hong Kong's unique glamour," she said.

In the coming months, Hong Kong will host a great number of international sports tournaments such as the Hong Kong Cyclothon and Harbour Race; arts and cultural showcases including the debut Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo; and business conferences including Fintech Week and Hong Kong Maritime Week and many more. "You will be amazed by our museums, food, nature, architecture, markets, shopping, attractions, events and so much more," Miss Li added.

HKETO, Brussels has been sponsoring dragon boat races in different cities across Europe to promote Hong Kong's presence, including Antwerp in Belgium, and Barcelona in Spain.

Hong Kong's presence at International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championships held in Ravenna, Italy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong's presence at International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championships held in Ravenna, Italy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

C&WDO receives report of loss of hirer data by facility management services contractor of Sai Ying Pun Community Complex

The Central and Western District Office (C&WDO) received a report of the loss of hirer data by a facility management services contractor today (September 16).

The C&WDO has engaged a facility management services contractor, Synergis Facility Management Limited (the Contractor), to assist in managing the Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall (the Community Hall) and handling the booking applications for use of the Community Hall and its facility from September 2022 to August 2025.

The Contractor reported to the C&WDO this morning that a staff member of the Contractor, who is responsible for handling the booking applications for use of the Community Hall and its facility, had lost a portable device (USB) during work on September 14. The device contains the name of organisation, date and time of the event, name and contact number of the contact person for 306 applicants. The data involved does not include any identity card number or other personal identifiers.

Upon receiving the report, the C&WDO promptly requested and accompanied the Contractor to report the incident to the Police and reported the matter to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data this afternoon. The C&WDO is contacting all the affected applicants to offer apologies and explain the incident. Meanwhile, a hotline (2852 3735) has been set up for persons affected to make enquiries. The C&WDO has also immediately suspended the Contractor from handling the booking applications for use of the Community Hall and its facility. The Home Affairs Department (HAD) has also informed the Property Management Services Authority to take appropriate follow-up action as the Contractor has failed to handle personal data properly as a licensed property management company.

The C&WDO sincerely apologises to the persons affected for any inconvenience caused and will follow up seriously to prevent reoccurrence of similar incidents . The C&WDO strongly condemns the Contractor concerned for the incident and has required the Contractor to submit a detailed report and take all necessary measures to prevent further leakage of the data involved. The HAD will not allow the Contractor to bid any other projects of the HAD until it has taken satisfactory measures.

Source: AI-generated images