Handwritten messages from Hong Kong residents have made their way to the Asian Games in Japan, giving athletes a personal reminder of support from home as they compete for the city’s delegation.
The messages were collected through Kai Tak Sports Park’s “Let’s Support Hong Kong, China Athletes!” campaign, which invited members of the public to write words of encouragement for athletes representing Hong Kong, China.
Thousands of specially prepared cheering balls carrying messages from residents were collected within a month, according to Kai Tak Sports Park. Selected messages were then delivered to athletes competing at the Games in Japan.
For athletes spending weeks away from home and preparing for high pressure competition, the handwritten notes offered a direct connection with supporters thousands of kilometres away.
Lydia Sham receives message after winning gold
Wushu athlete Lydia Sham Hui yu was among those associated with the campaign after she won a gold medal at the Asian Games.
Sham posed with one of the cheering balls, which carried the public messages gathered in Hong Kong.
Kai Tak Sports Park said the image represented the connection between residents in Hong Kong and athletes at the competition venue. The park hopes the messages will give members of the delegation additional encouragement as they continue competing at the Games.
The campaign was designed to give members of the public a simple way to participate in the Asian Games experience, even when they could not travel to Japan.
Rather than limiting support to medal winners, the initiative was intended for the entire Hong Kong, China delegation. Messages from residents were collected and shared with athletes as a way of recognising their work and commitment before and during competition.
The response also reflects the wider effort by Kai Tak Sports Park to involve local residents in the Games through activities taking place in Hong Kong.
Kai Tak Sports Park expands Asian Games activities
The sports park is continuing its public programme throughout the Asian Games period, with several activities planned for residents and sports fans.
One of the most visible attractions is an Asian Games themed light show projected onto the stadium facade each night.
The display will continue every evening until the end of the Asian Para Games. It features messages including “Go! Team HKG” and “The pride of Hong Kong, China”, accompanied by animated lighting effects.
The nightly display gives residents another way to follow the Games while athletes compete in Japan. It also turns the exterior of the stadium into a public celebration space, allowing people visiting the sports park to see messages supporting the Hong Kong delegation.
The programme extends beyond the light show.
Selected key Asian Games events are being shown free of charge on the giant screen inside the atrium of Kai Tak Mall 2. Sports fans can therefore watch major competitions without travelling to the official venues in Japan.
The screenings provide another opportunity for residents to gather and follow the progress of Hong Kong athletes throughout the Games.
Visitors can see uniforms from previous Games
Kai Tak Sports Park has also created a pop up store connected to the Asian Games celebrations.
The store features ceremonial and presentation uniforms previously worn by Hong Kong delegations at Asian Games competitions.
The display gives visitors an opportunity to see how the delegation’s official clothing has changed across different Games and provides a connection between past Hong Kong teams and the athletes competing today.
Visitors can also order customised Hong Kong team T shirts through the store.
The combination of public screenings, light displays, memorabilia and customised clothing forms part of a wider programme aimed at bringing the Asian Games atmosphere to Hong Kong.
For residents unable to attend events in Japan, these activities provide local spaces where they can follow results and show support for athletes.
Rugby community joins campaign
Support for the Hong Kong delegation has also extended beyond Kai Tak Sports Park’s own activities.
Former Hong Kong rugby international Yiu Kam shing, a member of the Hong Kong China Rugby Hall of Fame, joined professional rugby coaches at the “Unleash Your Athletic Odyssey 2026 Parent Child Fun Day” last Saturday.
The event encouraged families to take part in sporting activities while also showing support for Hong Kong athletes competing at the Asian Games.
Yiu’s involvement brought another connection between Hong Kong’s sporting community and the delegation in Japan. His experience as a former international rugby player also gave the event a direct link to Hong Kong’s competitive sporting history.
The parent child event was aimed at making sport accessible to families and encouraging young participants to take part in physical activities.
It also formed part of the wider public effort to build interest in the city’s athletes during the Games.
Messages give athletes a link to home
The cheering ball campaign stands out because the messages were written by members of the public rather than produced as standard promotional material.
Each handwritten note represents an individual contribution from someone in Hong Kong who wanted to send encouragement to an athlete.
Thousands of messages were collected during the month long campaign, giving the initiative a broad base of public participation.
For athletes, the messages offer something different from the support they receive through television coverage, social media or official announcements. A handwritten message carries the name, words and personal expression of an individual supporter.
Kai Tak Sports Park said the campaign was intended to reflect the city’s support for every member of the Hong Kong, China delegation.
The delivery of selected cheering balls to Japan has now turned those messages into a physical connection between supporters and athletes at the Games.
The campaign also continues after the messages have been delivered. Residents in Hong Kong can take part in the sports park’s public activities, watch selected events on the large screen and see the nightly stadium light show.
As Hong Kong athletes continue their Asian Games campaigns, the messages collected at home are serving as a reminder that their performances are being followed by supporters back in the city.
Which Hong Kong athlete are you supporting at the Asian Games?