• Pun Weng Kun described the National Games as “a precious gift from the Central Government to Macau”.
• Over 3,500 volunteers aged 18 to 70 participated in the National Games in Macau.

The 15th National Games, which spanned 13 days, has come to a close, with Macau – one of the host cities – delivering an impressive performance.

In an interview with New Macau, Pun Weng Kun, Director of the Preparatory Office for the 15th National Games, expressed his heartfelt emotions. He described the event as “a precious gift from the Central Government to Macau” and a historic milestone in the development of sports in Macau.

“We have always approached this with a sense of gratitude. Although the entire preparation process was full of challenges, being able to complete it smoothly in the end is truly a joy,” Pun stated. Being a part of this historic event, he said, was an unparalleled honor for him and his entire team.

This tri-regional collaboration involved extensive coordination, such as addressing cultural differences, visa and border arrangements, and other details that could have disrupted progress if not handled carefully. However, Pun said, “Fortunately, the teams from all three regions began communicating early, showing mutual understanding and ultimately overcoming the challenges to ensure success.”

When discussing the National Games, the unsung heroes – the volunteers – cannot go unmentioned. Pun’s tone was filled with gratitude when he spoke of their selfless contributions.

“We had over 3,500 volunteers participating, ranging in age from 18 to 70, which itself is an incredible feat,” he explained.

Pun noted that in the early stages of the event, the volunteers worked long hours and felt fatigued, but as the Games progressed they built strong bonds and were reluctant to part ways as the event drew to a close.

“It can be said that every volunteer gave their all. Not only did they complete their tasks, but their actions also showcased the unity and passion of the people of Macau,” he observed.

Regarding the performance of Macau’s athletes, Pun offered high praise.

“Although Macau’s population is just around 680,000, making it difficult to compare with the mainland in terms of talent pool, the athletes demonstrated a fighting spirit,” he continued. “Even when facing world-class opponents, they gave it their all. This spirit is something the younger generation should learn from.”

Pun also emphasized that while results are important, the experience and fighting spirit gained from participating are even more valuable.

Looking ahead, he mentioned that the next National Games will be held in Hunan, with the opportunity for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau to co-host again expected to take time.

“However, this collaboration has provided us with valuable experience. Should the opportunity arise to host again in the future, we will give it our all.”