Asian Games Torch Relay visits Hong Kong

Just weeks ahead of the forthcoming 15th Asian Games in Doha, official sponsor of the Hong Kong leg of the Asian Games Torch Relay, Qatar Airways, on Friday welcomed Torch Relay Ambassador His Excellency Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani in Hong Kong to officiate the territory’s first ever participation in an Asian Games Torch Relay.

Carrying with him the Flame that will ultimately light the cauldron in Doha’s hi-tech Khalifa Stadium next month to officially open the two-week sporting spectacle, His Excellency arrived at Chek Lap Kok Airport in Hong Kong onboard a special charter aircraft which is dedicated to carrying the flame across Asia.

Lit in a ceremony held at UC Centenary Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Asian Games Torch was carried by 23 elite local Hong Kong athletes selected as Torchbearers along a 4.5km route across Victoria Harbour to Wan Chai Golden Bauhinia Square where, at the relay’s official closing ceremony, traditional Qatari dancers and entertainers treated crowds to a taste of the Game’s host country. The first and the last Torchbearers were Bowler WU Siu Hong and Table Tennis stars, LI Ching and KO Lai Chak respectively.

Arriving in Hong Kong from Macau having burst onto the world stage in a spectacular lighting ceremony in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar, on October 8, the Asian Games Flame has already travelled through India, Korea and mainland China.

More than 3,500 people will be involved in the historic 55-day, 15 country 2006 Torch Relay, the longest in Asian Games history. The official uniforms of the Torchbearer's are inspired by the colours of the Qatari flag and the horn shaped Torch inspired by the Oryx, the Qatari national symbol.

Returning to Qatar in the Persian Gulf on November 25, the flame will then be carried across Qatar over the following seven days by some 1,000 Torchbearers before arriving in Doha for the Opening Ceremony of the 15th Asian Games on December 1.

Qatar Airways currently operates seven of its long-haul Airbus A330 aircraft in three distinct colour schemes depicting the 15th Asian Games. Three aircraft are painted in the distinct yellow and gold Asian Games colour scheme across the fuselage; three in blue with the Games mascot, ‘Orry the Oryx’ on the tail; and one in distinct red featuring an athlete and cyclist on the tail.

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