HONG KONG - In mid-October, as Hong Kong's summer heat lingered, the Scout Centennial Building buzzed with focused energy. Among the trainees was 22-year-old Wang Gongyu, a junior accounting student at the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, practicing ceremonial tray-bearing with military precision.

With her elbows bent slightly and wrists held straight, Wang maintained a steady stride while keeping the mineral water bottles motionless, a skill honed through countless repetitions.

Beside the mirror, dozens of etiquette volunteers moved in unison. Li Jing, a senior etiquette trainer from Guangzhou, walked among them, adjusting hand positions with a keen eye. "Unify your gestures and keep each step strictly at 30 centimeters," she instructed. "That's how we'll deliver the most professional demeanor during award ceremonies."

Affectionately nicknamed the "Little Dolphins" by locals, Wang refines every detail alongside 74 peers. They are part of Hong Kong's volunteer corps for the 15th National Games, co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). After months of rigorous professional training, the team is poised to showcase Hong Kong's renowned service standards on the national sports stage.

"The intensity is worth it," Wang said during a break, rubbing her sore arms where faint tray marks lingered. "To maintain a perfect smile, we practice holding chopsticks between our teeth. It's tiring, but seeing ourselves in the mirror, composed and focused, makes every drop of sweat meaningful."

Chasing "zero errors," Wang and her teammates have turned every movement into muscle memory: elbows held 15 centimeters from the torso when carrying trays, fingertips angled at 45 degrees for guiding gestures, and direct eye contact maintained with athletes during medal presentations.

"This is Hong Kong's first time hosting the National Games," Wang said. "Being able to contribute to my country and city as an etiquette volunteer fills me with pride."

She admitted that she once thought etiquette was just about "staying elegant," but soon realized it encompassed far more. Every detail demands precision: understanding event backgrounds, mastering safety protocols, refining body language, honing communication skills, and ensuring seamless award ceremony coordination.

"For example, we memorize guests' names and titles beforehand to greet them with a smile and a polite 'Hello, this way please,'" she explained. "Even the direction of the medal ribbons must be correct. Every small detail conveys Hong Kong's professionalism and warmth."

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The experience has reshaped Wang subtly. "My family and classmates say I stand straighter, speak more thoughtfully, and am more patient with others," she said. "This volunteer training experience has taught me not just etiquette skills, but lifelong lessons and knowledge."

Dressed in a pink Cantonese embroidery uniform, she voiced great anticipation for the cross-border event. "By providing the best professional service, I want everyone to feel Hong Kong's hospitality."

"Every time I watch the volunteers polish their movements repeatedly, I'm deeply touched," said Leung Kwok-shing, a former Hong Kong basketball player, as he observed the training session, praising the young volunteers' enthusiasm and professionalism.

Alongside Paris Olympic fencing gold medalist Kong Man-wai, Leung was appointed a volunteer ambassador for the event.

"Behind every athlete are countless unsung heroes," he said. "Volunteers may play a small role, but their significance is immense."

Recounting his motivation, Leung shared, "When I competed as an athlete, I benefited greatly from volunteers' help. Now I want to give back to sports through service and pass on positive energy."

He emphasized the bond between sportsmanship and volunteerism, adding that he would stand alongside the team at the rugby sevens competitions. "I hope more young people will join sports or volunteer work to boost Hong Kong's sports development along with economic progress," he said.

In Leung's view, volunteers are also cultural envoys tasked with spreading positive energy. "I hope the 'Little Dolphins' spirit becomes a new calling card for Hong Kong, continuing to shine in more events to come," he said. "Let more people tell Hong Kong's sports stories through volunteer service."

This sentiment was echoed two months earlier at Hong Kong's Queen Elizabeth Stadium, where nearly 1,800 volunteer representatives raised their right fists in solemn oath: "We promise to do our utmost, work together in unity, abide by volunteer rules, uphold our posts, and serve with sincerity and friendly smiles at the 15th National Games ..."

After the ceremony, volunteers gathered around a blue "VOLUNTEER" letter wall, adorned with the names of all 16,000 appointed volunteers, Hong Kong's largest-ever volunteer team for an international sports event. Uniting students, seniors, professionals, and people from all walks of life, the corps embodies the official volunteer slogan of the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games: "For You, More Splendor."

"Seeing my name here deepens my sense of responsibility," a working professional volunteer said, sharing a photo on social media with the caption "All for the National Games, all for Hong Kong - giving it our all."

Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, secretary for culture, sports and tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and chef de mission of Hong Kong's National Games delegation, noted that the team's scale and diversity set a local record, reflecting strong public recognition of the event. "To ensure service quality, we selected 16,000 volunteers from over 30,000 applicants for specialized training," she said.

Law highlighted two breakthroughs in the volunteer program. First is the professional upgrading of etiquette training: "We've drawn on mainland standards, refining everything from smile management to team image, significantly enhancing service quality."

Second is deepened tripartite coordination. We held monthly coordination meetings with Guangdong, unified service processes through test events, and strengthened volunteers' familiarity with venue layouts in Hong Kong, said Law.

Explaining the integration of "zero-error" standards with Hong Kong's international service norms, Law credited the volunteers' sense of responsibility and professional competence.

"We recognize the National Games' national status and live broadcast requirements," she said. "Hong Kong's volunteers are highly capable. Many are professionals themselves, blending passion with adaptability to naturally deliver high-quality services."

As the 16,000 "Little Dolphins" embrace the Games with full enthusiasm, Law emphasized their role as pioneers of cross-border integration. "Every person in Hong Kong is an ambassador for our city, and these 16,000 volunteers are the vanguard," she said.

"Taking this opportunity to host the National Games, Hong Kong will integrate more deeply into the Greater Bay Area and make greater contributions."