‘Sands China Ltd. Asian Youth Elite Fencing League Macau 2024’ Competition Kicks off with Grand Opening Event

(Macao, Dec 28, 2024) – Co-organised by Sands China Ltd. and Asia Sports Development Co., Ltd., the Sands China Ltd. Asian Youth Elite Fencing League 2024 Macau competition kicked off with an opening ceremony Saturday at The Venetian^®️ Macao’s Cotai Expo. The three-day Dec. 28-30 competition at Cotai Expo features nearly 800 elite young fencers aged 6 to 14 from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, the United States, and other regions.

The Asian Youth Elite Fencing League competition is a significant youth sporting event, which the organisers hope to develop into an Asian youth fencing league. By doing so, they aim to promote the development of youth sports in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area while preserving the heritage of fencing. The fencing pistes (playing areas) at Cotai Expo are standard FIE (International Fencing Federation) adult competition pistes featuring FIE referees. Video assistant referee (VAR) technology will be used during the elimination rounds to provide a global competition experience for young fencers and to promote the development of youth fencing in Asia.

Sean McCreery, executive vice president of operations for Sands China Ltd., said: “Sands China is privileged to partner with Asian Sports Development Ltd. in hosting this event. Aligned with the Macao SAR Government’s vision of creating a ‘City of Sports,’ we aim to provide an international platform for young fencers to showcase their talent and energy, thus promoting the sport of fencing in Macao and beyond in Asia. This event also highlights the distinctive allure of Macao’s fusion of ‘tourism + sports.’ In 2024, as Macao commemorates its 25th anniversary of its return to motherland, the significance of the inaugural hosting of the Asian Youth Elite Fencing League in Macao is profound. Apart from competitions across various age groups, we have arranged demonstrations and interactions with skilled fencers from Korea and Hong Kong. Additionally, experts in physical therapy and sports psychology will share insights, making this not just a competition but a grand exchange for young fencing talent from all around the world.”

Antonio Lam Hin Chung, chairman of the Asian Youth Elite Fencing League, expressed his gratitude to all parties for their full cooperation, and hopes that this competition will help promote the development of fencing in the Hong Kong and Macao regions. “We are very honoured to hold such a grand fencing event in Macao, and we hope to assist promising fencers in reaching new heights,” he said. “I wish for the young fencers to shine brightly in this competition.”

Chan U Chun, president of the Macao Fencing General Association, hopes that this competition will be a catalyst to enhance the Macau government’s focus on the sport of fencing. He expressed, “This event is in line with Macao’s policy of ‘1+4’ for moderate economic diversification. We hope that the Macao government will put more attention on fencing, allocate more resources for its development, and unlock the full potential of the sport of fencing. We are thankful to Sands China for providing us with the venue and support, enabling us to enjoy this magnificent stage for fencing. Looking ahead, we anticipate that Sands China will continue collaborating with us to create a more diverse range of fencing activities.”

Aaron Ng Hoi Shan, president of the Fencing Association of Hong Kong, China, sees this as a unique opportunity for exchange. He remarked, “Following Hong Kong’s fencing team’s success in securing two gold medals at the Paris Olympics, interest in fencing has surged. The inaugural staging of the Asian Youth Fencing Elite League in Macao, bringing together a multitude of talented young fencers, presents a rare chance for interaction. It offers a platform for these young fencers to demonstrate their skills, with the hope of fostering the next generation of fencers in Hong Kong and Macao.”

Officiating guests at Saturday’s opening ceremony were: Luís Gomes, director of the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office; Zhu Wei, level IV division rank official for the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region; McCreery; Lam; Kevin Ho King Lun, Macao deputy to the National People’s Congress and president of the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau; Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, China; Chan; Ng; Zheng Kang Zhao, head coach of the Hong Kong, China fencing team; Wong Po Kee, honorary deputy secretary general of the Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China; Zhong Man, Men’s Sabre gold medallist in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games; and Yoon Jisu, Women’s Sabre silver medallist in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. A lion dance team made a lively appearance at the opening ceremony, with guests of honour wielding swords together to kick off the event.

After the opening ceremony, two rising stars in the foil category, Lung Cheuk Ying from Hong Kong and Macao’s Ku Hio Lam, showcased their exceptional skills during an exciting exhibition match on stage, officiated by FIE international referee Edi Suwarto from Indonesia.

Sands China’s support of the Asian Youth Elite Fencing League competition is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts and its support of ‘tourism + sport.’ Rooted in Macao for more than two decades, Sands China has sponsored and organised various sporting events over the years featuring international sports stars, including tennis and basketball invitationals and training camps, Golf Day and other events, encouraging the public to participate in sports while attracting tourists and athletes from overseas to visit Macao and experience its charm.

Photo caption: Co-organised by Sands China Ltd. and Asia Sports Development Co., Ltd., the ‘Sands China Ltd. Asian Youth Elite Fencing League 2024 Macau’ competition kicked off with an opening ceremony Saturday at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo.

Photo caption: After the opening ceremony, two rising stars in the foil category, Lung Cheuk Ying (right) from Hong Kong and Macao’s Ku Hio Lam (left) showcased their exceptional skills during an exciting exhibition match on stage.

Photo caption: Antonio Lam Hin Chung, chairman of the Asian Youth Elite Fencing League, delivers his opening remarks at the opening ceremony.

Photo caption: Chan U Chun, president of the Macao Fencing General Association, delivers his opening remarks at the opening ceremony.

Photo caption: Aaron Ng Hoi Shan, president of the Fencing Association of Hong Kong, China, delivers his opening remarks at the opening ceremony.