(Hong Kong, 16 September, 2022) New World Harbour Race, the annual sports extravaganza title sponsored by New World Development Company Limited (“New World Development”) and organised by Hong Kong China Swimming Association (HKGSA), returns this year on 23rd October. On the morning of the race day, swimmers will start from the Golden Bauhinia Square Public Pier in Wan Chai, make waves across the iconic Victoria Harbour and finish at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, a route that was first introduced in 2021. This year’s event will also see its quota for entrants will be 1,500. Aiming to inject a positive vibe into the city and promote a sporting culture, the race welcomes Siobhan Haughey, double silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics and former member of the Hong Kong Swimming Team Kevin Chu, as its ambassadors. The New World Harbour Race 2022 registration opens tomorrow at 11am on 17th September and closes on 23rd September.

“New World Springboard Championship” continues to encourage young members of the “New World Swimming Academy” to participate

As in previous years, the forthcoming contest consists of the Leisure and Racing Groups, open to qualified swimmers, with a total quota of 1,500. The fastest three contestants in each of the categories under the Racing Group will receive an award. The “New World Springboard Championship” continues to encourage young members of the “New World Swimming Academy” to participate in the race. With the theme of “Empower Happy Waves for All”, this year’s competition inspires swimmers to share their passion with friends and sports enthusiasts across all medium, in spite of the ongoing pandemic. The Race is also sponsored and fully supported by FTLife, the sole insurance sponsor of this year.

“We would like to express our gratitude to New World Development for their unremitting sponsorship over the years, and to the relevant government departments and other organisations for their support and cooperation, without which we would not be able to organise the New World Harbour Race,” said President of HKGSA Mr Ronnie Wong. “Aside from providing swimmers with an opportunity to get together and compete, it is also our wish that the New World Harbour Race provides an opportunity for people all over the city to experience the happiness and vitality of swimming,”

Mr Sitt Nam-Hoi, Executive Director of New World Development, said, “We have always put our utmost effort into supporting local sports development. The New World Harbour Race has a long history of bringing happiness for the public to enjoy Hong Kong’s beautiful Victoria Harbour, and this year is no different. The Race this year is the second time to be held during the pandemic. We hope to share the joy and vitality of the New World Harbour Race to all citizens.”

A New Charity Feature – Donate to “Share for Good” When Signing Up

Online registration for this year’s New World Harbour Race runs from 11:00am this Saturday on 17th September until 11:59pm on 23rd September. To ensure the safety of swimmers, all participants must meet eligibility requirements set out by the organiser – potential contestants in the Racing Group must pass a Time Trial or possess the relevant approved credentials. The fastest 50 male and female swimmers will qualify for the contest. Should the number of registration in the Leisure Group exceed the quota, lots will be drawn and the results will be announced on 28th September along with the name lists for the Time Trials. Those on the lists must pass the Time Trials held at the early October. Results of the Time Trials and names of selected contestants will be released on 10th October. Qualified swimmers for both the Racing and Leisure Groups in the New World Harbour Race 2019, who did not taken part in last year’s competition, can enjoy 50% off the registration fee, and exemptions on the Time Trials and administration fees.

Faced with the ongoing COVID-19, which has impacted the livelihoods of the underserved, an option for donation has been added to this year’s registration form. Swimmers can opt to donate HK$100 for charitable purposes during registration. All charitable proceeds will be collected by the HKGSA, and subsequently donated to Share for Good, Hong Kong’s first crowd-donation platform. The platform’s partner, Yan Chai Hospital, will purchase and distribute appropriate supplies to the needy through 60 non-profit organisations.

“Vaccine Pass” Requirement and Nucleic Acid Tests 48 Hours Before the Event

The organiser is taking stringent COVID-19 preventative measures. Contestants must comply with the Vaccine Pass (Blue Code) requirements set out in the latest government guidelines.

On Race Kit Collection Day (48 hours prior to the event), qualified swimmers must take the government-recognised COVID-19 nucleic acid test arranged by the organiser and obtain a negative result. They should also submit their electronic health declaration forms.

On the event day, Rapid Antigen Test (“RAT”) is required to be conducted by all participants and officials, and obtain a negative test result before entering the venue. Everyone entering the venue must register with the LeaveHomeSafe mobile phone app. To further enhance infection prevention measures and help contestants protect themselves, there will be alcohol-based handrubs and signage reminding people to maintain social distancing, while body temperature monitors are also set up at the Starting Point, and masks distributed to contestants near the Finishing Area.

For details of the event, eligibility and registration, please visit our official website:http://www.hkharbourrace.com

Key Information on New World Harbour Race 2022

Photo Captions

	New World Harbour Race returns with the theme “Empower Happy Waves for All”. Race starts at Golden Bauhinia Square Public Pier in Wan Chai and finishes at the Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui.
	Together with ambassadors Siobhan Haughey, double silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, and former member of Hong Kong Swimming Team Kevin Chu, this year’s New World Harbour Race continues to spread happiness and vitality across Hong Kong.

Download high-resolution photos at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BbC661nhU9PVuwd6syxilu6rvugr8ScN?usp=sharing

About New World Development

Founded in 1970, New World Development Company Limited (“The Group”, Hong Kong stock code: 00017) was publicly listed in Hong Kong in 1972 and is a constituent stock of the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index. A premium brand infused with a unique personality best defined by The Artisanal Movement, New World Group’s core business areas include investment in property and property development, and investment in and/or operation of roads, commercial aircraft leasing, construction, insurance, hotels and other strategic businesses. Its Greater China operations, especially in the Greater Bay Area, had a total asset value of approximately HK$639.7 billion as at 31 December 2021. The Group’s two listed companies are NWS Holdings Limited (61%), and New World Department Store China Limited (75%). New World China Land Limited is wholly owned by the Group.

About Hong Kong China Swimming Association

Hong Kong China Swimming Association (“HKGSA”) was founded in early 1951 by the President, Mr. A. de O. Sales, and it took part for the first time in the Olympic Games in Helsinki 1952 with four swimmers. It was subsequently registered under the Societies Ordinance on 28th April 1960. It is a member of the Federation Internationale De Natation (FINA), Asian Swimming Federation (AASF) and Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF & OC). It is the sole governing body of swimming sports in Hong Kong covering all swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, open water swimming and masters competitions and activities here. HKGSA will comply with Olympic Charter, the rules and regulations of the International Olympic Committee, SF & OC, FINA and AASF

In the past 70 years, the Association has been promoting and developing swimming sports, thus raising the standard of swimming, nurturing elite swimmers and providing training to athletes, officials, judges and coaches in Hong Kong through organizing different competitions, training courses and relevant teaching activities. The Association now has over 120 affiliated clubs with over 10,000 registered athletes, offering all properly accredited persons the opportunity to represent Hong Kong in a wide range of competitions and meetings here and abroad.

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(This press release is issued by ActionHouse International on behalf of the Hong Kong China Swimming Association and New World Development Company Limited.)

For further information, please contact:
ActionHouse International Limited