BMW Around the Island Race Unites Global Rowing Champions in Hong Kong

Successful conclusion of BMW Around the Island Race for Coastal Rowing highlights Hong Kong as hub for international sporting events bringing business opportunities for multiple sectors

The BMW Around the Island Race (ATIR) for Coastal Rowing, held on November 30 and December 1, 2024, was successfully concluded. Hosted by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and co-organised by the Hong Kong, China Rowing Association, the event took place at the Victoria Harbour, bringing together over 400 participants from Hong Kong, the Mainland, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore, the USA etc, including world champions from 2023 and 2024. To mark the occasion, the Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), Ms Alpha Lau,officiated at its medal presentation ceremony to celebrate the exceptional achievements of the athletes.

Ms Lau said, "Hong Kong has always been a destination for major events, from arts and culture to sports. Our city has hosted international large-scale sports competitions including Hong Kong Sevens, the Hong Kong Marathon and the Hong Kong Tennis Open, to name a few. During the upcoming 15th National Games, we will organise eight competition events including fencing, track cycling, rugby sevens, golf, triathlon, beach volleyball, men's handball, and under-22 men's basketball. Hong Kong's participation in the National Games will further solidify our position as a premier sports destination."

She added, "Sports events have a profound economic impact. Sports industry brings in economic growth, ranging from sports operation, education, sports-related goods, sports tourism and all kinds of supporting services to sports activities, all contributing to our local economy. Most important of all, Hong Kong is an ideal location to do business, and events like Around the Island Race offers a fantastic opportunity for companies to connect with their target customers and markets, from sports drinks to sports tech, from local sports fan engagement to global sports tourism."

The ATIR is a 45km coastal rowing competition around Hong Kong Island, starting and finishing at the iconic Victoria Harbour. Beyond the competition, the event also features a 45km indoor rowing challenge hosted at the race village on Kellett Island, engaging over 20 teams from schools, corporations, and sports clubs, including youth, adults and para-athletes.

According to the latest figures from the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong's sports and related activities contributed HK$62 billion to the local economy in 2022, accounting for 2.2 per cent of the city's Gross Domestic Product and creating 74 000 job opportunities. With the Kai Tak Sports Park set to open soon, along with the co-hosting of the 15th National Games by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao next year, it is expected to drive robust growth in related industries such as sports tourism, sports technology, and equipment manufacturing.

Looking ahead, InvestHK is committed to supporting international sports events that enhance the city's global standing and drive positive economic impact. As a strategic gateway to Mainland China and the Asia-Pacific, combined with its business-friendly environment, the city offers a dynamic platform for companies to unlock growth in one of the world's most vibrant and rapidly expanding regions.

Successful conclusion of BMW Around the Island Race for Coastal Rowing highlights Hong Kong as hub for international sporting events bringing business opportunities for multiple sectors Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Successful conclusion of BMW Around the Island Race for Coastal Rowing highlights Hong Kong as hub for international sporting events bringing business opportunities for multiple sectors Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Successful conclusion of BMW Around the Island Race for Coastal Rowing highlights Hong Kong as hub for international sporting events bringing business opportunities for multiple sectors Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Successful conclusion of BMW Around the Island Race for Coastal Rowing highlights Hong Kong as hub for international sporting events bringing business opportunities for multiple sectors Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 8 000 members of public participate in LCSD's "Joyful Dance Piazza Performances"

The DancingAndy and Dancers "Joyful Dance Piazza Performances", featuring nearly 200 performers from over 10 inclusive dance groups, took place today (January 5) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza. The event was attended by over 8 000 members of the public. Interactive dancing sessions between the audience and the performers, in particular, promoted harmony between disabled and non-disabled individuals.

Using dance as a medium, the event allowed strangers to connect with each other and celebrate life together. Participating organisations included the Caritas Lok Hang Workshop "Dansalogue", China Hong Kong Para Dance Sport Association, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong Chung On Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, De La Salle Secondary School NT, Ebenezer New Hope School, Haven of Hope Tseung Kwan O and Sai Kung District Support Centre "Dance Training for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities", HHCKLA Buddhist Po Kwong School Junior Dance Group and Parent-Child Dance Group, Hong Kong PHAB Association Stanley Shek O Neighbourhood Elderly Centre Elderly Dance Group "Dance Up", Mary Rose School, St. James' Settlement Dancing Heart Troupe, St. James' Settlement Dancing Heart II, and The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council Wong Tai Sin Wellness Support Centre Dance Group.

In addition to watching the energetic performances, audience members also took part in interactive dancing sessions with the performers, demonstrating that both disabled and non-disabled individuals of different ages, physical attributes and ethnic backgrounds can all dance.

"Joyful Dance Piazza Performances" is one of the programmes of the "Dance for All" Community Care Inclusive Dance Scheme organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. With veteran local dance artist Andy Wong as Artistic Advisor and based in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, this scheme includes a series of dance performances featuring disabled persons as performers, workshops, exhibitions, in-school training classes tailored for special schools, finale performances and more.

Over 8 000 members of public participate in LCSD's "Joyful Dance Piazza Performances" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 8 000 members of public participate in LCSD's "Joyful Dance Piazza Performances" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 8 000 members of public participate in LCSD's "Joyful Dance Piazza Performances" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 8 000 members of public participate in LCSD's "Joyful Dance Piazza Performances" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 8 000 members of public participate in LCSD's "Joyful Dance Piazza Performances" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 8 000 members of public participate in LCSD's "Joyful Dance Piazza Performances" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 8 000 members of public participate in LCSD's "Joyful Dance Piazza Performances" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 8 000 members of public participate in LCSD's "Joyful Dance Piazza Performances" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 8 000 members of public participate in LCSD's "Joyful Dance Piazza Performances" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases