HONG KONG, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing called on Hong Kong athletes Thursday to do their best in the upcoming Beijing Paralympic Games.

    According to a release from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, Tsang attended the Hong Kong delegation's flag-raising ceremony at the Paralympic Village in Beijing Thursday and watched final training for the boccia athletes. He also had lunch with the delegation and members of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled.

    Tsang said the athletes' perseverance and hunger to excel are what spectators appreciate. He hoped they can garner good results by doing their best in their events.

    After the ceremony he visited the Paralympic Village to see the accommodation facilities for the Hong Kong team, before returning to Hong Kong in the evening, the press release said.

    The Hong Kong team will compete in eight events, including athletics, boccia, equestrian, rowing, powerlifting, shooting, table tennis and wheelchair fencing.