Sam Hou Fai pushes forward with major sports park, eyes key land redevelopment

Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai confirmed plans to transform the former Yat Yuen Canidrome site into a major public sports park, unveiling a two-phase development strategy aimed at addressing the Northern District’s recreational needs.

He also discussed strategic land use and upcoming international visits.

The CE, accompanied by Secretary for Economy and Finance Anton Tai Kin Ip and Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raymond Tam, toured the 40,000-square-meter former greyhound racetrack site in Nossa Senhora de Fátima during the weekend.

Speaking to the media, the government reaffirmed its commitment to develop this area into a public sports park serving the Northern District.

“We will maintain our development plan for the public sports park and its facilities as originally designed,” the CE told reporters.

“The Northern District currently lacks adequate recreational facilities relative to its population density. Therefore, we will proceed with a two-zone, two-phase development approach.”

The first phase, which will soon enter the tendering process, will focus on aquatic facilities, sports courts, a skatepark, and a rock-climbing wall.

Phase two will add a 400-space underground car park, two new footbridges, and transport upgrades. Throughout construction, existing amenities like swimming pools will remain open.

Officials also discussed revisiting plans to extend the Light Rapid Transit East Line from Qingmao Port to Fai Chi Kei and the new citizen’s sports park to improve accessibility.

Beyond the sports park, Sam addressed the future of other key sites, including the Macau Jockey Club and the “Ocean World” plot.

The Jockey Club land, situated near the Hengqin Port and the Cotai Strip, was described by the CE as requiring careful and thoughtful planning to maximize its potential in line with Macau’s long-term economic and social goals.

“This land is extremely valuable for Macau,” Sam said. “We must carefully consider it. This is something we all need to pay attention to regarding Macau’s future development direction.”

Similarly, the Ocean World site remains under strategic review. Located across from the Regency Art Hotel, the land plot measures a total area of 193,775 square meters.

With ongoing reclamation in the nearby Zone D area, the government stated that “it continues to assess development needs.”

Patane wet market visit

Earlier on Saturday, joined by Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong, the CE visited the Patane Municipal Market Complex to engage with merchants and residents.

The CE’s discussions with vendors focused on sales performance, sourcing challenges, wholesale price fluctuations, and the impact of reduced weekend activity on local businesses.

Sam highlighted the transformation of wet markets, citing the Areia Preta Market’s food court as a vibrant example attracting both locals and tourists.

“I wanted to observe the overall community conditions,” he told the media.

“Many public opinions have expressed significant impacts, especially on weekends, affecting the entire business environment in the community. Secretary Tai is already aware and will explore ways to restore our community’s vitality, competitiveness, attractiveness, and diversity.”

Sam emphasized the importance of government officials maintaining close connections with public sentiment and community needs through regular visits, highlighting this as a key governance priority.

During the visit, the CE also stopped by an international IP installation in Fai Chi Kei and took photos with residents.

The Secretary for Economy and Finance noted that the ongoing “Flora Fête with Sanrio Characters” event has attracted over 240,000 visitors during its initial 80 days. Drawing an average of 3,000 people per day, the event is set to continue until the end of the year.

Tai added that departments under his portfolio are preparing further initiatives to support the digital transformation of small and medium enterprises in Macau’s northern districts.

Portugal visit

postponed but expanded

The CE also revealed to the media on Saturday that his planned July visit to Portugal has been postponed to autumn due to recent political changes there, including a legislative election and the appointment of a new Prime Minister, as well as Macau’s current development priorities.

Asked about the delay, the CE explained that it allows for a more comprehensive trip to explore new opportunities in Europe. Sam said, “We have been thinking, since we’re going there, why not visit neighboring countries like Spain or Brussels, where we have representative offices.”

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa revealed to the media that Portugal’s Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, is expected to visit Macau in September as part of an official trip to China. This statement was made during Portugal Day celebrations in Lagos.

CE leads delegation

to six GBA cities

The CE is currently leading a delegation from the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government on a visit to six mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area from Sunday, June 22, to Tuesday, June 24.

The cities included in the visit are Shenzhen, Huizhou, Dongguan, Guangzhou, Zhaoqing, and Foshan. This trip follows Sam’s earlier visit in April to Zhuhai, Zhongshan, and Jiangmen, marking the second phase of engagement with mainland cities in the GBA.

During the visit, the CE will hold separate meetings with leaders of the six cities to discuss advancing GBA initiatives and strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation.

The delegation is also set to inspect local development projects and enterprises focused on technological innovation and energy, aiming to gain insight into key industry progress within the region.

While Sam is away, André Cheong will serve as acting CE.

The CE met with the Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Meng Fanli, in Shenzhen yesterday.