High spirits: Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing exhorts Hong Kong's Deaflympic athletes.

Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing will attend the 21st Summer Deaflympics in Taipei to support the Hong Kong delegation taking part.

Mr Tsang visited the Hong Kong athletes during a training session before their flight today. He said he was pleased to learn they are in high spirits and ready to compete, adding they have an unswerving spirit of sportsmanship and are determined to overcome their difficulties and remain dedicated to stringent training.

"I sincerely hope all of you will give your best in the sports events next week, striving for excellence and reaching new heights through participation and exchange," he said.

Mr Tsang will leave for Taipei on September 13.

More than 40 athletes from the Hong Kong Sports Association of the Deaf will take part in the games which start tomorrow. They will compete in athletics, badminton, basketball, judo, table tennis and taekwondo.