HK Jockey Club CEO: National Games advance Greater Bay Area integration through sports collaboration

China's 15th National Games, being held for the first time across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, are underway, with the equestrian competition starting on November 10. 

Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges presented awards to the riders at the Shenzhen Guangming International Equestrian Centre, which the club has supported during the Games. 

In an exclusive interview, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, highlighted how the 15th National Games are helping to build regional unity and social progress across the Greater Bay Area. He called the multi-region event a historic showcase of cooperation and shared development vision.

Engelbrecht-Bresges said the Games are a key moment for Hong Kong under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework. He sees the event as an opportunity to break down regulatory barriers and strengthen institutional links in areas like work permits, cross-border logistics, and laboratory testing.

"It shows Hong Kong is fully part of one nation," he said.

He added that sports are increasingly valued in Hong Kong society. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has donated HK$450 million ($58 million) in Hong Kong and 50 million yuan ($6.9 million) to support the Games in Guangdong Province.

The club also provides technical assistance for the equestrian competitions, including venue design, operations, and integrity management such as anti-doping and prohibited substance testing.

"Hosting a cross-border sporting event requires coordination on visas, logistics, and regulations," Engelbrecht-Bresges said. "Solving those issues brings the Bay Area closer together."

He highlighted the Conghua Racecourse in Guangzhou as another example of regional collaboration. Built and operated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the facility has generated jobs and training opportunities for about 1,000 local residents. The club plans to host an international race there in 2026, which will be broadcast in over 20 countries.

Beyond infrastructure and funding, Engelbrecht-Bresges stressed the vital importance of nurturing young people. He talked about fostering a "spirit of can-do" and a healthy mindset to face competition. "You want to always improve. So this mindset of permanent improvement comes via sports," he noted, sharing his belief that sports teach invaluable life lessons in discipline, focus, overcoming disappointment, and never giving up.

Engelbrecht-Bresges states that, through these multidimensional efforts, the Hong Kong Jockey Club reinforces the role of sport as a unifying force and a catalyst for sustainable regional development—enhancing community health, resilience, and shared identity across the Greater Bay Area under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle.