YMCA Celebrates 125th Anniversary with Distinguished Government Officials and Legislative Council Members at Official Launch

YMCA Celebrates 125th Anniversary with Distinguished Government Officials and Legislative Council Members at Official Launch
· The Basketball Carnival at Olympian City from May 23-25 connects the community

The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong (YMCA) proudly hosted the ” YMCA 125th Anniversary Opening Ceremony cum Hoops with you Carnival” at Olympian City today, marking a major milestone as the organisation commemorates 125 years of service in Hong Kong. The event also serves as the grand debut for a year-long series of celebratory activities, highlighting the YMCA’s enduring commitment to sports and youth development

The ceremony was graced by an esteemed panel of government officials and Legislative Councillors. The officiating guests included: Dr the Hon Starry Lee Wai-king, Member of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee and the President of the Legislative Council, GBS, JP; the Hon Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, GBM, GBS, JP, former President of the Legislative Council; Mr Chen Ziming, Division Head of the Social Work Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; the Hon Grace Chan Man-yee, Legislative Council Member; Mr Ho Kai-ming, JP, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Mr Stanley Yau, member of popular Hong Kong boy band MIRROR; Mr Joshua Yau Chung-wan, Honorary President of the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong and Chairman of the 125th Anniversary Organising Committee; Dr Arnold Cheng Cheuk-sang, President of the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong; and Mr Johnny Wong Chung-yee, General Secretary of the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong. The officiating guests jointly witnessed the YMCA stepping into a new milestone and underscored the importance of sportsmanship in fostering connections across generations.

In his address, Dr Arnold Cheng, President of the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, stressed that basketball is not merely a sport but an important vehicle for the YMCA to achieve its goal of holistic youth development. Since establishing the city’s first indoor sports venue featuring a basketball court at the Bridges Street Centre in 1918, the YMCA has been dedicated to nurturing the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of young people through sports services. Dr Cheng said: “YMCA will continue to leverage its unique position of being ‘rooted in Hong Kong, backed by strong national support and a high degree of global connectivity’, to foster positive values and a sense of social responsibility among young people through diverse platforms in sports, education and community services.”

Dr the Hon Starry Lee Wai-king remarked that the YMCA youth volunteer services fully demonstrated the YMCA’s dedication to serving the community. Over the past century, the YMCA has worked hand-in-hand with the government, corporate partners, and citizens to provide diverse services for youth and the community, standing as an important partner to the HKSAR Government in driving social development.

The Hon Jasper Tsang Yok-sing also delivered remarks, in which he added, in support Hong Kong’s integration into national development, the YMCA has expanded its exchange initiatives with the Mainland. These efforts encourage youth to deeply connect with the nation’s culture, history, and latest achievements, empowering them to fully embrace the opportunities created by national progress.

Today’s successful opening ceremony officially marks the commencement of a year-long series of commemorative festivities. From 23 to 25 May 2026 (Saturday through the Monday Public Holiday), the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong is hosting the “YMCA Hoops with you 125th Anniversary Carnival” at the atrium of Olympian City 2. The event features an array of bespoke photo spots and three interactive basketball games designed to challenge enthusiasts’ reaction speed, shooting precision, and jumping power. The event has invited professional Hong Kong freestyle football performer, Lyson Sze, to perform his exceptional footwork and ball control live. Renowned basketball coach Leung Man-hung will also be on hand to share his insights on the sport. A dedicated exhibition area on-site will trace the origins of basketball and its historical ties to the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong.

Over the coming six months, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong will roll out diverse programmes featuring volleyball and basketball tournaments, a virtual run, and an international symposium on mental health, providing holistic care for the public’s well-being. For more information, please visit the YMCA anniversary webpage: https://ymca.org.hk/125anniversary. The organisation remains committed to working hand-in-hand with all sectors of society to nurture the next generation and build a future defined by hope and compassion.

High-resolution photo download link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1l1wt6iZdzBo7cZQXbfQrL2suN2K1PneC?usp=drive_link