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Jockey Club Baseball5 Community Programmes Launching Ceremony & Xperience Day

Jockey Club Baseball5 Community Programmes Launching Ceremony & Xperience Day Successfully Concludes

Kick-starting the October "M" Mark Event: II WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024
A series of public engagement activities enhances appreciation skills and encourages community participation in this exciting international competition

(Hong Kong, August 11, 2024) – The Jockey Club Baseball5 Community Programmes Launching Ceremony & Xperience Day was successfully held yesterday at the Central Harbourfront Event Space. This event marks the beginning of a series of community promotional activities leading up to the October "M" Mark Event, the II WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024. The ceremony was officiated by Mr Raistlin LAU, JP, Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Robbie McRobbie, Executive Manager, Charities (Sports), The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Andrew FAN, JP, President of The Baseball Association of Hong Kong, China, and Mr. Dave HO, Chairman of The Baseball Association of Hong Kong, China.

The Jockey Club Baseball5 Community Programmes (the Programmes) offers a rich and diverse array of activities alongside the Xperience Day today, including experience workshops, the Jockey Club High Five Baseball5 Roadshow, Jockey Club Junior Baseball5 Commentators Training, Jockey Club Baseball5 World Cup Guided Tour, and Jockey Club High Five Baseball5 Flash Games. These initiatives aim to cultivate public interest, especially among the younger generation, in both participating in and watching Baseball5. The successful launch of the Programmes is attributed to the dedicated support of experts from various sectors of the sports community., to whom the organizers expressed their gratitude by presenting certificates of appreciation to these individuals.

At the launching ceremony, Mr Robbie McRobbie, Executive Manager, Charities (Sports), The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said Sports & Culture is one of the strategic priority areas of the Club’s Charities Trust, through which the Club contributes to the betterment of our society. As the Official Community Partner of the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup, the Club has joined hands with the Baseball Association of Hong Kong, China, to support the Jockey Club Community Baseball Programmes. The aim is to bring the excitement of baseball to students and the underprivileged in a more inclusive and accessible format.

Simple and Accessible Gameplay Suitable for Popularization in Hong Kong

As an emerging sport, Baseball5 holds significant potential for development. Its simple and convenient gameplay makes it ideally suited for space-limited environments like Hong Kong. It has already been included in international competitions such as the World Cup, Youth World Cup, Asia Cup, Youth Asia Cup, and will also be a part of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. To showcase its unique style, Hong Kong Baseball5 athletes Ms. TAI Man Kwan and Mr. YIU Yik Shun demonstrated basic techniques. Participants experienced the excitement and enjoyment on the specially prepared sports flooring.

Mr Andrew FAN, JP, President of the Baseball Association of Hong Kong, China, said "Baseball5 is not just a competitive sport; it is highly suitable for widespread community participation. Unlike traditional baseball, it requires minimal equipment—just a flat surface and a hollow rubber ball. Players can hit the ball with their hands, without the need for gloves or bats. Despite the minimal requirements, the sport demands high skill levels, teamwork, adaptability, and ball-handling techniques. Through promotional activities, we aim to introduce this sport to the community, increase public awareness, and encourage participation. Our goal is to enhance public appreciation of sports and energize the city for the II WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024 in October, offering a thrilling, high-level competition."

The event invited eight athletes from different fields to participate in a guest Baseball 5 match, including fin swimmer Mr. YUEN Wai Hang Ringo, karate athlete Ms. CHOI Wan Yu, softball player Ms. WONG Cho Hei, basketball player Ms. YAM Hui Yin, artist and footballer Ms. CHEK Wing Shan, 5. Hong Kong Baseball5 athlete Ms. TAI Man Kwan, football player Mr. TSE Ka Wing, and flying disc athlete Mr. LEE Chun To. These athletes were deeply engaged and added excitement and energy to the event.

The II WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024 will be held from October 7 to 12, 2024, at the Central Harbourfront Event Space, featuring 12 top teams from five continents, including Tunisia, South Africa, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Hong Kong China, France, Lithuania, and Australia, competing for the championship.

Community Activities Enhance Public Interest Ahead of October's International Event

Various public engagement activities were held on-site, creating a lively atmosphere. The three-day Jockey Club Junior Commentators Training concluded with youngsters applying their skills in a real-time commentary under the guidance of Senior Sports Reporter Mr. Kwok Tsz Lung and Senior Sports Anchor Mr. Tom Chen. In preparation for the upcoming II WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024, a training workshop for event officials was conducted. Under the assessment of Mr. Andrea D’Auria, Chair of the WBSC Baseball5 Game Official Commission and Member of the WBSC Coach Commission, 14 local Baseball5 officials were selected to officiate alongside six international officials at the October event. Other activities included the Baseball5 Rising Stars Championship, Baseball5 sport trials, and various booth games.




Mr Andrew FAN, JP, President of the Baseball Association of Hong Kong, China aims to increase public awareness and encourage participation of the Baseball5 through a series of promotional activities, and to enhance public appreciation of sports and energize the city for the II WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024 in October.



Mr. Dave HO, Chairman of The Baseball Association of Hong Kong, China (front row, first left) and Dr. William WAN, Director of The Baseball Association of Hong Kong, China (back row, first right) posed for a group photo with eight athletes from different fields.



Basketball representative Ms YAM Hui Yin was invited as a guest athlete in a Baseball5 match and truly enjoyed the experience.


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