- The “WTT Champions Macao 2024 presented by Galaxy Entertainment Group” concluded in September.
- The seven-day event brought together 32 of the world’s top male and female table tennis players.
The “WTT Champions Macao 2024 presented by Galaxy Entertainment Group” concluded in September. Organized by the Sports Bureau of the Macau SAR Government, World Table Tennis (WTT) and Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG), and co-organized by the Macau Table Tennis General Association, the event marked the first high-tier international table tennis tournament since the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Hosted at the Macao East Asian Games Dome, the seven-day event brought together 32 of the world’s top male and female table tennis players, competing in a total of 62 exciting matches. Chinese players Lin Shidong and Sun Yingsha emerged as champions in the men’s and women’s singles categories.
During the tournament, distinguished guests presented awards to the champions and runners-up in both categories. Guests attending the award ceremony included Mr Ho Iat Seng, Chief Executive of the Macau SAR; Mr Liu Guoliang, WTT Board Chair, International Table Tennis Federation Deputy President and Chinese Table Tennis Association President; Ms Ao Ieong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government; Ms Ho Ioc San, Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government; Mr Wan Sucheng, Director-General of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Mr Gao Yuan, Director of the Department of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Commissioner’s Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Mr Steve Dainton, WTT Chief Executive Officer, ITTF Group Chief Executive Officer; Mr Francis Lui, Vice Chairman of GEG; and Mr Philip Cheng, Director of GEG.
This edition was the fifth WTT event hosted in Macau since 2020, demonstrating the WTT’s confidence in and recognition of Macau’s ability to organize major international events.
The tournament also marked the fifth consecutive time GEG has supported WTT events in Macau and its second consecutive year as a co-organizer. Buddy Lam, Director of Corporate Affairs of Galaxy Entertainment Group, said at the press conference that, “GEG is proud to have been involved in the event since its Macau debut. As one of the event’s organizers, GEG will, as always, work closely with all parties to show Macau’s unique cross-sectoral ‘tourism + sports’ charm to the international community and polish Macau’s ‘golden business card’ as an international metropolis through sports.”
GEG extends community engagement with related activities
Alongside the tournament, GEG title sponsored and co-organized the “Double Celebrations – GEG Macau Special Olympics Inclusive Table Tennis Fun Day 2024” in partnership with the Macau Special Olympics (MSO), celebrating 14 consecutive years of collaboration during this year’s WTT Champions Macao. With GEG’s support and arranged by WTT, Xiang Peng and Kuai Man, winners of the World Junior Table Tennis Championships, participated in this event held at Broadway Macau. They interacted with MSO athletes through an inclusive table tennis exchange aimed at broadening local athletes’ horizons and promoting an inclusive culture for people with disabilities.
In addition to sharing skills and experiences with the MSO athletes, the champions gifted signed table tennis paddles to the athletes and took memorable photos with mascot “Wavey”, the Peacock of Galaxy Kidz, who was dressed in a table tennis outfit. They also visited a charity booth set up by the MSO at Broadway Food Street, where they were warmly welcomed and given handmade crafts. Both champions expressed their joy at participating in such a meaningful event, stating that they were deeply moved by the dedication and passion of the MSO athletes and truly felt the spirit of inclusion that sports bring to various communities.
Hetzer Siu Yu Hong, Executive Director of Macau Special Olympics, thanked GEG for its continued support, particularly this year’s thoughtful inclusion of young table tennis champions in the event. He emphasized the importance of promoting inclusivity through sports and raising public awareness of the integration of athletes with disabilities.
Additionally, GEG invited members from various local community associations and organizations to attend the matches, including the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau, the Women’s General Association of Macau, Macau Tung Sin Tong, and students from the Lui Che Woo College of the University of Macau.
Local students from the “Youth Science and Technology Village” program, co-organized by GEG, the Education and Youth Development Bureau and the Macao Science Center, as well as students from the “GEG Youth Achievement Program” – co-organized alongside the Macau Management Association for 13 consecutive years – were also invited to attend. Accompanied by members of the GEG Volunteer Team, they had the opportunity to watch world-class matches and deepen their understanding and interest in international table tennis competitions.
To further engage the public and visitors in the festive atmosphere, GEG, along with the event organizers, hosted an autograph session at the East Square of Galaxy Macau, featuring athletes Chen Xingtong from China and Truls Moregard from Sweden. Around 100 table tennis fans attended, enjoying the opportunity to interact with the athletes and received signed memorabilia.
GEG also set up a special “Love Between Fairy and Devil” immersive VR interactive booth outside the event venue. Actors in traditional Chinese costumes introduced visitors to the unique fusion of ancient Chinese culture and modern technology, further enhancing Macau’s distinct “tourism + sports” appeal.
GEG will continue its ongoing commitment to Macau’s development as a “City of Sports” by supporting and presenting sports events and extended activities in a more in-depth way, fostering the cross-sectoral integration of “tourism + sports”, and will remain committed to enhancing Macau’s position as a “World Center of Tourism and Leisure”.