Gov’t to promote maintenance and repairs on local sports facilities ahead of National Games

The Sports Bureau (ID) is not going to build any new sports facilities for Macau’s co-hosting of the 15th National Games of China (Games) in 2025, the ID confirmed to the Times in response to an inquiry on the topic.

“The Sports Bureau will strictly follow the requirement of ‘Simple, Safe and Remarkable’ by using existing sporting venues, without building any new venues for the Games,” ID said.

The bureau further added, “The ID will keep implementing planned repair works according to the venue’s circumstances, ensuring all venues comply with competition standards.”

The ID did not disclose any information on which sporting events will be hosted in Macau, saying, “Currently, the final decision on which sporting events will be held in Macau is still being discussed, and the venues for holding such events are to be confirmed.”

However, the Bureau’s intention to make adjustments to existing local venues to meet the Games’ requirements has been confirmed. In practical terms, this means that venues usually utilized for a particular sport or activity may see the area temporarily modified to host a different activity.

“The Sports Bureau will be prepared for the Games by adjusting different venue settings and adding any required equipment according to the final sporting events held in Macau,” ID concluded.

While the local number of sporting competitions to be hosted is still unknown, the neighboring region of Hong Kong unveiled back in May that the city is set to host eight competitive events of the Games that are also co-hosted by Guangdong province.

In Hong Kong, the Kai Tak Sports Park will be the main venue for the events in the city. In a document submitted by the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau to the Legislative Council, it is possible to see that the Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province agreed for Hong Kong to host eight solo and four team events for the Games.

The preparation and hosting of the Games has been budgeted at about HKD11.8 million per year for three years since the establishment of the hosting committee and until the end of the Games.

Urgent maintenance and repair works required

The Times also questioned the ID on its plans for several facilities that have shown signs of needing urgent maintenance and repair works.

The ID replied that the bureau is monitoring and coordinating repairs on sports facilities, which are used for training and sports practice of athletes and other associations.

“The ID is constantly monitoring sports facilities and equipment and has carried out any necessary repair and maintenance accordingly. The Sports Bureau has noted the need for and completed repair works on the relevant facilities and equipment,” the bureau said. It further added, “To ensure normal operation and public safety when using our sports facilities, the ID has been paying close attention to each venue and facility and conducting regular checkup and maintenance works according to the status and period of use of different sports facilities and equipment. Repair and maintenance works are carried out according to the principle of good use of public funds.”

Repair works that the ID has already completed include maintenance of the air-conditioner of the Vitoria Sports Centre; repairs of the ground floor, protective net and spectator seats of the Tamagnini Barbosa Sports Centre – Multi-purpose Field; renovation of the Taipa Northeast Sports Centre squash court; refurbishment of the Olympic Sports Centre tennis court and auxiliary equipment; replacement of the Olympic Sports Centre running track; and renovation of the Tennis Academy tennis court, among others.

Waterproofing works for Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion and Olympic Sports Centre multifunctional rooms are also scheduled to occur shortly, according to the IC.

Over the past few weeks, several readers of the Times – and backed up by onsite reviews from the Times reporters – have noted several instances of damage and other problems across a number of sports venues. Such issues include water ingress, humidity damage, and malfunctioning sewage systems among others.

These instances were included in the Times’ inquiry to the ID, about which the ID provided a response.