ESF joins 12 other official sports organizations to lend support to Asia’s first Gay Games
Hong Kong, 28 March 2023 — Gay Games 11 Hong Kong 2023 (GGHK) is proud to announce new official sports partners for the upcoming games in November. The Games have partnered with some of the most respected organizations in the Hong Kong sports industry, including the English Schools Foundation (ESF) and many others.
The partnership with ESF will feature a mentorship programme between GGHK volunteers and students of ESF, aimed at providing guidance and support to the students in their skills-based volunteering experience. The programme is currently in the pilot phase and will be expanded with more volunteers as the Games approach. In addition, ESF is supporting the organization of a Community Sports Day, which will be led by a social venture, Social S, and will include fencing and ultimate frisbee.
ESF has generously provided two venues for the November Games, ESF King George V School (KGV) ESF Kowloon Junior School (KJS) , both located in Ho Man Tin. KGV will host the three-day fencing competition, featuring the traditional saber, foil, and épée events, as well as the growing Lightspeed Saber division. KJS will host the table tennis competition.
Mark Blackshaw, Principal of ESF King George V School said, “ESF is absolutely delighted to be supporting the Gay Games. Having an event of this significance being held in Asia for the first time is a real sign that Hong Kong is back as a major events destination.
“Our schools pride themselves on being open and inclusive, welcoming people from different countries, different cultures and different beliefs. The Gay Games symbolize this approach – bringing together people from around the world to be united in sport and culture. It is going to be an incredible time.”
GGHK is also proud to partner with a wide range of other organizations, including the Victoria Recreation Club, SportSOHO, Inspire Talent, RaceBase, Hong Kong Dodgeball Federation, Hong Kong Football Association, Hong Kong Rugby Union, Flying Disc Federation Hong Kong, China, Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association, Hong Kong China Rowing Association, Hong Kong Mahjong Association, and the Hong Kong Netball Association. Said Sean Fitzgerald, co-president of the Federation for Gay Games, “We are excited that these new partnerships will grant us access to some of the finest sporting venues in Hong Kong.”
“For the first time in history, the Gay Games are being held in Asia, a region that covers more than half the world’s population,” said Alan Lang, GGHK co-chair. “We have seen a groundswell of support for the Gay Games in Hong Kong, with over 200 dedicated volunteers working tirelessly to bring this international event to life. International corporations, business chambers of commerce, Hong Kong national sport associations, top-tier educational institutions, and our arts and culture community have all joined forces to ensure the success of GGHK. As a result, we are growing, connecting, and leading the way in supporting these organizations.
“These partnerships are a testament to the growing recognition and support for GGHK, and they provide a platform to raise awareness about the positive impact of sports on our lives and the economy.”
* Venue locations may be subject to minor changes
GGHK will be held from 3-11 November, co-hosted with Guadalajara Mexico and held in both Asia and Latin America for the first time in its 40-year history. Under the theme “Unity In Diversity,” the Games aim to promote unity and inclusion as Hong Kong reinforces its credentials as a welcoming, world city. The Gay Games principles of “Participation, Inclusion, and Personal BestTM” ensure that everyone above the age of 18 is welcome to participate. There are no pre-selection criteria for any events.
The registration fee is HK$1,500 (US$193) plus competition fees for specific sports. To ensure that this is truly a “Games for All,”, GGHK is offering 1,000 fee waivers for younger people below the age of 25, as well as migrant workers, domestic helpers and minorities, on a first-come-first-served basis.
Media Information
Please contact [email protected] or https://gghk2023.com/en/press/
More about the Gay Games Hong Kong 2023
Gay Games is a 9-days international world-class diversity festival with multi-sports, arts & culture events and opening & closing ceremonies organised by the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, +) community, organised every 4 years. The goal of the Gay Games is to emancipate LGBTQ+ people around the world by educating people through sport, arts & culture events —in a spirit of better understanding. The Gay Games are organised by Gay Games Hong Kong under license of the the Federation of Gay Games. The spirit of equality is enshrined in the Games’ principle of inclusion: Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best.
GGHK will take place on 3-11 November 2023, the first event of its kind in Asia under the theme “Unity in Diversity”. Supporting organisations include the Equal Opportunities Commission, InvestHK, BrandHK and the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
