Beijing Visitor Guide

In 2015, the United Nations launched 17 interlinked global goals as a part of The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), number 17 of which is Establishing Partnerships for Goals to encourage cross-sectoral partnerships to make sustainable goals a reality. 

To embrace United Nations’ sustainable goals and to reflect the ethos of “In Sports, Everyone is Equal”, Special Olympics Hong Kong has established the Fans Scheme in hopes to shine a spotlight on athletes with intellectual disabilities through cross-sectorial partnerships with parties including like-minded folk who want to promote social harmony; sponsors; donors; coaches; schools; athletes with intellectual disabilities and their parents; volunteers and more. 

Means may vary but the goal is to establish a meaningful, widespread network to spread the message of social harmony and integration whether through active participation in Special Olympics Hong Kong’s activities or other means of support. The launch ceremony also saw these parties present to commemorate the monumental event. 

Mr. Yeung Tak-keung, JP, Commissioner for Sports, praised Special Olympics Hong Kong’s efforts in promoting social integration amongst athletes with intellectual disabilities. 

“Since founding, Special Olympics Hong Kong has offered sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, so to boost their sportsmanship, self-confidence, courage, teamwork and communication skills. Social integration and positive energy are fostered through the sharing of joy with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. I believe that this Fans Scheme can deepen the public’s understanding for athletes with intellectual disabilities and encourage partnerships and communication between different sectors in our city.” 

Dr. Evelyn Lam, JP, Chairperson of Special Olympics Hong Kong, says, “Since inauguration, Special Olympics Hong Kong has been active in promoting social inclusion and providing sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 

Throughout our 45-year journey, we’ve been blessed with the support and help from different partners and are grateful to see the immense growth in our athletes, who’ve been privileged to join competitions of varying scales whether locally or internationally. The launch of the Fans Scheme will be a milestone in social harmony. You are all invited to join our project and to spread the word to every member of society to aid the growth of our humble family whilst promoting social harmony. 

The launch of Special Olympics Hong Kong Fans Scheme Promoting Sports for All & Social Harmony The first phase of Special Olympics Hong Kong Fans Scheme will focus on promotion and expanding its network. 

To join the Fans Scheme, simply fill in your personal information and pledge to support the promotion of social harmony plus participate in its activities on the webpage (www.hkso.org.hk/fans/choosetoinclude/). 

Successful applicants will receive a Fans Scheme key chain. 

The key chain features a Fans Scheme webpage QR code so participants can spread the word to friends and family. First recruits include athletes with intellectual disabilities and their family members, coaches, partners, sponsors, donors, volunteers and more. The launch is already promising bright futures ahead. 

 Kurtis Jon Siu, Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger and golfer of Special Olympics Hong Kong, shared his two-decade-long journey as a Special Olympics athlete as well as his personal transformation after joining the committee. 

“Special Olympics Hong Kong has provided me a platform to grow; it has fulfilled my life whether in sports or in life as a whole. I hope that the debut of the Fans Scheme will offer us even more opportunities to discover our potential.” Special Olympics Hong Kong Athletes Preparing for the Races Wave after Wave of Local Sports Events Special Olympics Hong Kong’s athletes are actively preparing for Special Olympics World Winter Games Kazan 2022 set to debut on January 2023. For local sport events, Track and Field competitions are set to happen in January and February. Special Olympics Hong Kong also welcomes corporate partnerships to form teams with their athletes for the golf match in March 2022. 

For more information on local sports events, please visit: https://www.hkso.org.hk/admin/upload/activity/20211104110407_File1.pdf