As the countdown to the 15th National Games (15th NG) continues, mass participation event competitions are in full swing. Several elite athletes from the Hong Kong Police Force have been selected for the Hong Kong team because of their outstanding performance, and will showcase their indomitable spirit on the field. Among them, Marine Police officer Chan Po-kwan and Police Constable of Lok Ma Chau Division Ng Chi-tik will compete in the light volleyball and dragon boating events respectively, striving for honour for Hong Kong.

Light volleyball strong player Chan Po-kwan: From the Force to national arena

Chan Po-kwan, who is 1.8 metres tall, has loved volleyball since childhood and represented Hong Kong in overseas competitions. After joining the Force in 2015, he continued training during his spare time. He not only helped the Marine Police win Police volleyball championships for several times but also become a major player in the Police volleyball team. A few years ago, he switched to the new sport of light volleyball and represented the Hong Kong youth team to compete with retired provincial teams and ex-national team players on the same field in the previous National Games.

“Although we were only ranked the top ten, we could compete with the nation’s top athletes and learn a number of new techniques and tactics, enabling me to deeply appreciate the high level of the nation in sports for all,” Chan Po-kwan said. This year, he will again compete in the 15th NG in the mixed light volleyball event with team members from the Force and various disciplined services. “We would like to showcase the unity and perseverance of the disciplined services and strive for good results for Hong Kong!”

Top dragon boating racer Ng Chi-tik: From Operation Breakthrough to international arena

Ng Chi-tik, another Force representative, was introduced to dragon boating through the Force’s Operation Breakthrough when he was young. With relentless effort, he was invited to join the Hong Kong team and even won the second runner-up in the U24 World Championships. After joining the Force in 2020, he continued training and was finally on the 12-member shortlist of the Hong Kong team for the dragon boating event at the 15th NG, and has finished the competition in Foshan last month.

“The strength of the Mainland teams are beyond imagination, and their average performance is even better than that in the World Championships,” Ng Chi-tik tells frankly. Although he could not win a medal, he was extremely proud as he could compete with the strong teams in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) and experience the passion of the audience. “This experience enabled me to appreciate even more the enthusiasm and support of the Mainland to sports!”

Force spirit and athlete’s beliefs

Being able to represent Hong Kong in the 15th NG, Chan Po-kwan and Ng Chi-tik feel especially honoured. They believe that the perseverance, teamwork and never-give-up spirit cultivated by the Force align well with athlete’s beliefs. “Whether on the pitch or post, perseverance and indomitable spirit are the keys to success.” Both of them are looking forward to the official opening of the 15th NG in November, and hope that all Hong Kong citizens will cheer for the Hong Kong athletes, witness this sports event, and showcase the vitality and charm of the Greater Bay Area. “Hong Kong Team, keep it up!”

Mass participation events participated by Force members in the 15th NG

The 15th NG series in OffBeat will start from this issue. Other than a countdown to the opening, interviews will also be conducted with other Force’s athletes. More Police stories in the 15th NG will be showcased in other media reports. Scan the QR code to learn more on Police social media platform: