WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024 Officially opens on October 7!

The 2024 WBSC Baseball5 World Cup grandly held in Hong Kong, featuring 12
world-class teams from five continents, including Tunisia and South Africa from Africa, Cuba,
Mexico, and Venezuela from the Americas, China and the host region of Hong Kong,China
from Asia, Chinese Taipei, Japan, France and Lithuania from Europe, as well as Australia
from Oceania. Over six days, these athletes will showcase world-class competitions in Hong
Kong, striving for championship glory with all their might!

This top-tier event has been awarded the "M" mark by the Major Sports Events
Committee and will kick off with an opening ceremony on October 7, 2024, at the Central
Harbourfront Event Space. The ceremony will feature speeches from the officiating guest,
Mr Paul CHAN, GBM, GBS, MH, JP., Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong S.A.R.
Government, and Andrew Fan President of The Baseball Association of Hong Kong,
China (BAHKC). The attending guests included Mr. LAU Chun, Raistlin, JP.,The Acting
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Wilfred NG Sau-kei, GBS, MH, JP., Chairman
of Major Sports Events Committee] or representative from the Government of the HKSAR,
George Tsoi Kin-pan,Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Riccardo Fraccari, President of World
Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC),Mr Dave HO, Chairman of The Baseball
Association of Hong Kong, China (BAHKC), Mr Stanley CHONG, Secretary-General of The
Baseball Association of Hong Kong, China (BAHKC) and Mr LIU Ming Kwong, Vincent, JP.,
Director of Leisure & Cultural Services.

At the opening ceremony, Mr Paul CHAN, GBM, GBS, MH, JP., Financial
Secretary of the Hong Kong S.A.R. Government stated that the event has been awarded
the "M" brand recognition by the Major Sports Events Committee. The committee will
continue to support more sporting events in Hong Kong to better promote the city's diverse
and vibrant image through various major competitions, "shaping tourism through sports."
Additionally, it aims to encourage sports to integrate more into the community, allowing
citizens to participate.

Andrew Fan President of The Baseball Association of Hong Kong, China
(BAHKC) expressed gratitude to the government for granting "M" brand recognition to this
edition of The 2024 WBSC Baseball5 World Cup, which allowed the event to be held in a
prime location at the Central harbourfront. He mentioned this opportunity enables them to
share the positive story of Hong Kong with the world and promote the development of
baseball.

In the opening match, Team Hong Kong,China faced off against South Africa, ranked
6th in the world (as of August 9, 2024). With strong support from hundreds of fans in
attendance, Team Hong Kong,China showcased their determination, defeating their
formidable opponent with scores of 9:7 and 6:5!

In the first inning, Team Hong Kong,China initially took a significant lead of 7:3, but
the powerful South African team fought back to tie the game at 7:7. Fortunately, Team Hong
Kong,China ultimately secured victory with a final score of 9:7. As the second inning began,
South Africa refused to back down and launched a counterattack. However, Team Hong
Kong,China's defense remained rock-solid, allowing them to clinch another victory with a
score of 6:5, marking their first win in the 2024 WBSC Baseball5 World Cup!


Mr Paul CHAN, GBM, GBS, MH, JP., Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong
S.A.R. Government stated that government will continue to support more sporting events in
Hong Kong to better promote the city's diverse and vibrant image through various major
competitions


Mr Paul CHAN, GBM, GBS, MH, JP., Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong
S.A.R. Government（middle）、Andrew Fan,President of The Baseball Association of Hong
Kong, China (BAHKC) (Right) and Mr. Riccardo Fraccari, President of World Baseball
Softball Confederation (WBSC)(Left)


A host of guests attended to support the event.


The opening ceremony featured a fireworks display.


Team Hong Kong,China representative Avis Wong performed excellently.


Team Hong Kong,China representative Tommy Cheng worked hard to score
points.


Team Hong Kong, China team defeated South Africa, ranked 6th in the world,
in the opening match, securing a victorious start!


LUCKY performed at the opening ceremony.


DanceBeat performed at the opening ceremony


Guangzhou Sport University performed at the opening ceremony