Volunteers work at the media center during the Games. XIE SHANGGUO/FOR CHINA DAILY

Compatriots from Macao and Taiwan also play vital part

Chloe Ho Pui-pui had no hesitation in making a special trip from Hong Kong to Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, to act as a volunteer for the 19th Asian Games, which ended on Sunday.

"For an event of this international stature and significance, the question shouldn't be why should I take part in it, but why not," she said.

Born in 1985, Ho used to work in banking, but after becoming tired of the job, she became an officer in the Hong Kong Police Force.

Wearing a high ponytail, walking quickly and talking fast, she exemplifies the image of a Hong Kong policewoman often seen in the city's movies and television dramas.

In March, after hearing that the Hong Kong Island Women's Association, a leading charity organization, was recommending local residents to work as volunteers at the Asian Games, Ho was the first to step forward.

Ho said: "There is usually a gap of several years between events on the scale of the Asian Games. Life is short, and as I'm not that young, I could not miss out this time."

Since March, Ho devoted all her spare time to prepare for being a volunteer.

She first passed an interview with the association, before undergoing a training course at Tuen Mun Public Riding School, which is managed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

During the training, Ho had her first experience of entering a stable and getting up close to horses, allowing her to gain firsthand knowledge about stable operations, horse nutrition and equine routines.

Following requirements set by the Asian Games Organising Committee, she completed online classes, studied relevant material, passed exams, and was finally selected as a volunteer after several months of preparatory work.

Last month, with the support of her colleagues, and using her accumulated leave, Ho freed up time in her work schedule for her voluntary duties.

She arrived in Hangzhou on Sept 19, staying in a hotel about a 50-minute drive from the Tonglu Equestrian Centre, which hosted the Asian Games equestrian events.

Every day, Ho rose at 4 am to ensure she arrived at the competition venue by about 6 am to begin work two hours later. She was often busy until late in the evening, sometimes until 11 pm or midnight, frequently only managing to get about five hours' sleep each day.

Ho was responsible for providing services as an English-language interpreter. She helped athletes, technicians and staff members from different countries and regions to communicate with each other.