Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region Sam Hou-fai has sent a congratulatory letter to the Macao, China sports delegation which participated in the 20th Asian Games, according to a statement from the Government Information Bureau released on Sunday.

The 20th Asian Games closed on Sunday evening in Aichi-Nagoya.

With their fearless spirit and unyielding determination in the face of strong opponents, the statement said, the Macao SAR’s athletes achieved outstanding results — winning one gold, four silver, and one bronze medal across wushu and karate events — and performed admirably in a number of other sports.

This represents Macao’s best-ever record since it began participating in the Asian Games, opening a new chapter in the history of Macao’s competitive sport, the statement added.

On behalf of the Macao SAR government and the public, Sam expressed his warmest congratulations to all members of the SAR's sports delegation on their record feats.

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The delegation’s repeated successes were the result of every athlete’s long-term, arduous training and constant striving to surpass themselves, the statement noted, adding that they were also the fruit of the joint efforts of coaches, team leaders, and the entire support team, as well as an important reflection of the central authorities’ care and support for the development of Macao’s sporting sector.

The statement emphasized that the local government will further improve the athlete training system, deepen the cultivation of sporting talent, and provide appropriate supporting resources across all aspects of sport. It is hoped that all athletes and sports professionals will unite in their efforts and continue to build on their achievements–carrying forward the Chinese sporting spirit, winning honor and glory for Macao, and contributing Macao’s strength to accelerating the building of a strong sporting nation.

Meanwhile, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region said in a congratulatory message on Sunday night that during the 20th Asian Games, the SAR sports delegation vigorously carried forward the Chinese sporting spirit, working together with one heart and striving to be the best.

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They achieved Macao’s best-ever results since it began participating in the Asian Games, bringing honor to Macao and the motherland. It is hoped that all Macao sports professionals will make full use of the institutional advantages of “one country, two systems”, continue to build on their achievements, press forward with determination, and strive to open up new prospects for the development of Macao’s sporting sector - making new and greater contributions to integrating into and serving the building of a strong sporting nation, the office said.

The Macau Post Daily is a media partner of China Daily.