The first Hong Kong Games opened Saturday evening as Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang inaugurated the games.

The games, which is the first comprehensive games all over Hong Kong, attracted some 1,200 athletes from 18 districts of Hong Kong and a total of four events, including track and field, badminton, table tennis and basketball.

Addressing in the ceremony, Patrick Ho, secretary for Home Affairs of Hong Kong, said the games would be an excellent vehicle for promoting local sports culture.

"Not only will the Games offer more opportunities for participation in sports at the community level, they will also help identify athletes with high potential," said Ho.

The highlights of the opening ceremony included the parade of the athletes of the participant districts and the cheering team show of the 18 districts. There was also had a fire show after the opening ceremony.

The biennial event, which will run from April to May 2007, has started in early April and the grand prize presentation and closing ceremony will be held on May 6 at Hong Kong Park Sports Center