Hong Kong is ready to co-host the National Games and will focus on refining services and optimising sports events set to be held locally, the city’s leader has said in the 100-day run-up to the contest’s opening in November. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Saturday also said that all eight host venues for major competitions would finish their final rehearsals in the next few months, with organisers to focus on enhancing security and hospitality, among other areas. “Hong Kong will give full play to its international and professional advantages to contribute to the country’s efforts in becoming a powerful sports nation through professional teamwork, rigorous event organisation and humanised service details,” he said. “Hong Kong will also use the Games to further develop the sports industry within the Greater Bay Area, promote youth sports exchange and allow more residents, including those with disabilities, to enjoy sports.” Lee officiated at a ceremony marking 100 days until the launch of the National Games on Saturday. The city leader was joined by Beijing’s liaison chief in Hong Kong, Zhou Ji, sports minister Rosanna Law Shuk-pui and Yeung Tak-keung, the head of the city’s National Games Coordination Office, at the Hong Kong Velodrome Park. The Games, which will run from November 9 to 21, will feature more than 400 events across 34 sports. The competitions will be co-hosted by Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau. Lee said Hong Kong would focus on optimising the competition process, refining service arrangements, strengthening safety assurances and conducting final tests and drills in the coming 100 days to “build a fair stage for athletes and create an unforgettable viewing experience for spectators”. He added that the city had completed test runs for all eight sports events held by the city and the two cross-border competitive events that would be co-hosted with Macau and Guangdong. “The city has been upholding its highest standards in preparing the events, and has collaborated with Macau and Guangdong to turn the games into a simple, safe and fabulous sports and cultural grand gala,” he said. Lee will later head to Shenzhen to be part of an evening celebration, one of several taking place in mainland China over the weekend. The countdown ceremony also featured the “100-Day to the National Games – All Together for 1 Million km Challenge”, which calls for the public to run, walk, cycle or swim 1km (0.62 miles). The city’s organising committee expected 999,900km to be completed by the deadline on Saturday, with participants - including sports minister Law - helping to complete the last 100km of the challenge at the Velodrome. Hong Kong will stage eight competition events, including fencing, basketball (men U22), track cycling, golf, men’s handball, rugby sevens, triathlon and beach volleyball, as well as a mass participation bowling event. The city will also take part in organising a cross-border marathon and road cycling competition. Tickets will be sold in August under a real-name system. The government estimated that about 100,000 visitors from mainland China and the rest of the world would travel to the city for the Games, which Yeung said would amount to 20 to 25 per cent of spectators.