中國香港欖球總會樂見姚錦成獲委任亞運會開幕禮持旗手

HONG KONG CHINA RUGBY DELIGHTED FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF SALOM YIU KAM-SHING AS FLAG BEARER FOR ASIAN GAMES

中國香港七人男、女子欖球代表隊大軍今晨隨港隊運動員代表團於出發前往杭州。

隨團送行的港協暨奧委會主席兼杭州亞運團長霍啟剛在場公布，武術隊女將莫宛螢及資深欖球七欖隊員姚錦成，將代表中國香港隊共同擔任開幕禮持旗手。

霍啟剛解釋，持旗手的任命，不只為反映個人成績，亦旨於提供機會，展示代表團內不同的成就及才華。他提到七人欖球隊伍的團隊精神，是造就其優良成績的重要因素，包括男子隊上屆在雅加達取下歷史性金牌。他亦讚揚姚錦成的卓越堅持，提到他第四次代表中國香港參加亞運，期待他在過去奪取一金兩銀的佳績後，再下一城，再度衝擊金牌。」

獲委旗手重任，姚錦成表示他感到「非常榮幸和自豪」，並使其亞運生涯更為圓滿。他續指：「擔任持旗手是一項榮譽，讓我有更大動力迎接比賽。這次是我第四次、也是最後一次參加亞運會，我定必全力以赴，為我們的城市爭標。」

中國香港欖球總會行政總裁麥偉彬樂見姚錦成被委任持旗手，他指：「從他(姚錦成)很年輕時，我已經開始觀看Salom比賽，他一直服務欖球運動，同時是出色的大使及榜樣。我知道整個欖球界均為他感到高興，相信這亦將激勵男子隊奮力衛冕；而女子隊亦定當全力以赴，力爭首次踏上頒獎台。」

The Hong Kong, China Men's and Women's Sevens squads joined up with the rest of the Hong Kong delegation earlier today as they headed to Hangzhou in preparation for the opening of the 19th Asian Games this Saturday.

During the farewell ceremony at the airport, Mr. Kenneth Fok Kai-Kong, Vice-president of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and Head of the Hong Kong Delegation, announced that the honour of carrying the HKSAR flags during the opening ceremony would be shared by wushu star Juanita Mok Uen-Ying and our very own Salom Yiu Kam-Shing, the much loved Sevens veteran.

Kenneth Fok explained that their selection was not only a reflection of their personal achievements but also gave an opportunity to showcase the diversity of talent within the Delegation. He paid tribute to the strong team spirit of the Rugby Sevens squads that has contributed to their track record of success, including the Men’s historic Gold Medal in Jakarta. He also acknowledged Salom’s remarkable longevity which will see him represent Hong Kong, China at a record 4thAsian Games, and hoped he would be able to add to his impressive tally of 2 Silver and 1 Gold Medals.

Salom Yiu stated that he was “exceptionally honoured and proud” to be appointed as flag bearer, and expressed his hope of finishing his Asian Games career on a high. He said, "Being a flag bearer is just fantastic, and will give me even greater motivation leading into the competition. As this will be my fourth and final Asian Games, I am determined to give it everything and bring home a medal for our city.”

Mr. Robbie McRobbie, CEO of the Hong Kong China Rugby, expressed his delight at Salom’s selection; “I’ve watched Salom play since he was just a young lad, and he has been an outstanding servant to our sport and a wonderful ambassador and role model. I know that the whole of the rugby community will be absolutely delighted for him, and I’m sure it will spur on our Men as they defend their title and our Women as they aim for a first ever podium finish.”

Information source : Hong Kong China Rugby

Photo source : Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China