Hong Kong for the first time participates in the most anticipated National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of the People's Republic of China (NTGEM) from November 22 to 30, 2024, in Sanya of Hainan Province.        

Established in 1953, the NTGEM is a quadrennial event designed to promote mass participation in sports, primarily featuring amateur athletes. The NTGEM will showcase a variety of competition events, including folk martial arts, dragon boat racing, folk equestrianism, and folk wrestling, alongside demonstration events and cultural activities such as the opening and closing ceremonies and an ethnic gala. These activities highlight the rich and diverse cultural heritage of China’s ethnic minorities.

Notably, this will be the first time that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) sends a delegation to the NTGEM. It marks a historic occasion as delegations from all mainland provinces, regions, and municipalities, alongside those from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, come together for a national-level sports event.

Nearly 7,000 athletes representing all 56 ethnic groups in China will compete in over 160 events spanning 18 different sports. Traditional sports that are particularly cherished by ethnic communities, such as crossbow shooting, single-bamboo drifting, and pearl ball, will also be featured.