The 2024 General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) announced yesterday the successful bid of Hong Kong, China to host the 2026 ANOC General Assembly.

The ANOC comprises 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and is responsible for protecting and advancing the interests of the world's NOCs and supporting their mission of promoting Olympic values worldwide. The general assembly is the supreme governing body of the ANOC and a significant international sports event.

Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung said the successful bid shows international confidence in Hong Kong's ability to host major sports events. 

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will fully support and guide the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China in hosting this important international meeting, co-ordinating close co-operation between relevant government departments and various sectors including tourism and business, with a view to demonstrating the synergy between sports, convention and exhibition as well as tourism, giving full play to Hong Kong's strengths in connecting with the world and telling good stories of Hong Kong.

Under the arrangements of the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Portugal, Mr Yeung visited the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda yesterday morning and exchanged views with its curator on ways to promote culture exchanges through museums.

Mr Yeung also met Secretary of State for Sport of the Government of Portugal Pedro Dias the day before to discuss the work and vision of the promotion of sports development in Hong Kong and Portugal.

The sports chief then visited the Portuguese Football Federation's Cidade do Futebol (Football City) in Lisbon, where he spoke to the federation's president Fernando Gomes on exploring co-operation opportunities between the two places in promoting football development.

He also toured Football City's various facilities, including training and competition venues as well as ancillary facilities for sports medicine and science.

Mr Yeung left Portugal for Hong Kong today.