The 15th National Games, and the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games, collectively referred to as the NG15, were successfully held in November and December. Over the past 18 months, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) mobilised more than 500 personnel to provide technical support for 24 venues and the police vehicle fleet, successfully achieving zero incidents across all electrical and mechanical (E&M) systems.
Upgrading Venue Facilities
The NG15 events involved multiple venues and core facilities, including the Main Media Centre and the Main Operation Centre. The EMSD team reviewed and configured the E&M systems one by one according to the specific needs of each venue. Among the events, the highly anticipated fencing events staged at Kai Tak Arena in mid-November. As the arena had previously been used for handball matches, the team had to convert it into a fencing arena within just four days to meet the competition schedule. The works included laying nine fencing pistes and reconfiguring the lighting system, posing a significant challenge for the team. They meticulously planned the power supply routing and lighting design, and fine-tuned the lighting system to meet both the athletes’ competition needs and television broadcasting requirements.
Outdoor venue conversions were equally challenging. The hard-surface soccer pitches at Victoria Park had to be transformed into temporary beach volleyball courts, but the original lighting system could not reach competition standards. Therefore, the EMSD team assisted in installing additional sports lighting equipment and designing a dedicated power supply system for the new competition facilities. A Battery Energy Storage System was also introduced to replace traditional diesel generators, ensuring a stable power supply while reducing noise and air pollution. During the events, the team monitored the operation of all systems round the clock to swiftly respond to emergencies. Moreover, EMSD collaborated with the Highways Department and the two power companies to inspect and suspend the road excavation works near the venues during the events, minimising the risk of accidental damage to underground cables that could disrupt the competitions.
For the first time, the NG15 featured two large-scale cross-boundary events, namely the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Road Cycling Race and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Marathon, which traversed the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Shenzhen Bay Bridge respectively. In addition to conducting pre-event inspections of system servers and field equipment of Traffic Control and Surveillance System (TCSS) such as variable message signs and closed-circuit television, the EMSD provided technical support for the venue command centres at the ports and the TCSS Control Centre. During the cross-boundary road cycling race, a radio frequency identification (RFID) system automatically verified the athletes’ identities when they passed through the border control points. To ensure a stable power supply for the system, EMSD installed an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) device, enabling the race to proceed smoothly.
On the security front, the Police were responsible for escort and traffic control during major events such as the torch relay and the cross-boundary road cycling race. To support the Police in fulfilling this duty, EMSD provided exterior refurbishment and parts replacement for the police vehicle fleet in advance. Moreover, EMSD added a base station at Kai Tak Stadium for the Fire Services Department to strengthen radio coverage inside the venue and enhance emergency response capabilities.
The EMSD will continue to enhance its technical expertise and collaboration capabilities to provide professional and reliable E&M support for future mega events.
Watch a video showcasing the EMSD’s work during the NG15.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_m2VEQvyfY
