A total of seven lawmakers have recently submitted inquiries to the Legislative Assembly regarding the development of local sports and the need for more sports venues for both leisure and competition.
Almost all the lawmakers, including Lam Lon Wai, Bowie Leong, Angela Leong, Ma Chi Seng, Ngan Iek Hang, Lee Koi Ian, and Chan Hao Weng, addressed the matter against the background of the recently held 15th China National Games, calling on the government to leverage the momentum created by the games to boost local sports and increase public participation in sports activities.
On the topic, lawmaker Chan stated that the “National Games brought positive effects to Macau on various levels, with benefits in areas beyond sports.”
He noted that during the event, there was a noticeable increase in visitors from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, with Guangzhou and Shenzhen receiving 18.049 million visitors, as well as a significant increase in tourism spending compared to the same period last year.
He remarked that this demonstrates the capacity of sports events to attract visitors and contribute to diversified economic growth.
He also noted that the games have facilitated regional integration and border-crossing, serving as a model to be continued and encouraging more joint events among different areas of the Greater Bay Area.
In conclusion, he added, “National Games were not only a stage for competitions, but also a crucial step toward Macau’s integration into national development. Let us transform this enthusiasm into a long-term driving force and build a dynamic Macau together, with a view to making a greater contribution to the integration and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.”
On his turn, Lee commented that the recent hosting of several events, including the National Games and the Macau Grand Prix, has shown that these events can effectively support the government’s goal of attracting visitors, particularly international tourists.
He said the events have significantly contributed to economic returns and provided opportunities for development.
He claimed, “The size of the city does not restrict its organizational capacity at all. Macau’s real core advantage is its efficient organization and coordination, excellent infrastructure, and broad social participation.”
For Lee, to take advantage of this “springboard,” Macau needs to “improve the talent development system for competitive sports,” starting at the basic level. That is, “physical education in schools should be strengthened to improve young people’s physical fitness and enthusiasm for sports, creating a talent pool for youth athletics.”
The same lawmaker also calls for improvement at the intermediate level, including strengthening the amateur training network and establishing a scientific, tiered development system.
“At the elite level, dedicated professional support teams should be assigned to key projects, including the recruitment of high-level coaches, the establishment of sports science support systems, strengthening cooperation and exchanges with advanced regions, and promoting in-depth collaboration in the training and development of talent.”
To support this sports culture, he called for the establishment of a coordinated support mechanism between the government, businesses, and society to deepen the integrated development of the “competitions+” industries, focusing on the development of sports tourism products centered on outstanding athletes and key sports, with a view to creating a sports tourism circuit unique to Macau.
Finally, he said government policies need to support these new developments by creating specific plans for the sports industry, defining the paths for its growth.
Lee wants these policies to consider the participation of local small and medium enterprises by allowing them to participate in retail, catering, and other sectors.
Lawmaker Ngan, on the other hand, highlighted the need to develop this sector by enhancing venues, as well as supporting local athletes and coaches.
“We need to improve venues and facilities and optimize supporting services. The construction of sports venues and adjacent facilities must be enhanced to increase capacity for hosting international competitions and to improve ancillary services like transportation and accommodation, providing tourists and athletes with a more enjoyable and convenient experience,” Ngan said.
“We must support the professional development of local athletes and coaches and promote the integration of sport into communities and schools, encouraging residents, especially those with children, to participate in sports, fostering a culture of physical activity for everyone in society,” he added.
On the same topic, lawmaker Leong turned her attention to the development of sports and leisure areas, calling on the government to make good use of new areas, namely Zone A and the coastal promenade of Zone B, to address the lack of physical spaces, particularly in the Peninsula.
Leong wants not only the government to improve the facilities but also to enhance accessibility, allowing residents to travel to those areas easily.
On a different occasion, several lawmakers, including Leong Sun Iok, have also called for defining the use of the land of the former Macau Jockey Club in Taipa as a large-scale sports complex to cater to the needs of multiple sports, particularly those requiring large areas, such as football and rugby.
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