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The following is issued on behalf of the Provisional Regional Council:

A sports and games carnival featuring diving, synchronised swimming and table-tennis performances by mainland elite sportsmen will be organised by Provisional Regional Council (Pro RC) on July 1 (Wednesday) to celebrate the first anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Moreover, Pro RC will open to the public free of charge a total of 67 indoor recreation centres (IRC), swimming pools as well as squash and tennis courts in the New Territories.

The two fun-packed events are meant to commemorate the territory's reunion with China.

Members of the public who wish to use the facilities should make advance booking and obtain admission tickets at the venue starting from tomorrow (Wednesday). Tickets for the carnival will be distributed at District Offices of the Regional Services Department from June 19 (Friday) on a first-come-first-served basis.

Residents of all ages attending the sports and games carnival, to be held from 2 to 5 pm at Sha Tin Sports Ground, Sha Tin Jockey Club Public Swimming Pool, Yuen Wo Playground and Yuen Wo Road IRC, will be treated to high standard demonstrations, as well as play-in sessions and competitions.

The appearance of 31 award-winning athletes from the Guangdong Sports Technical Institute (GSTI) will be an eye-opener for residents.

At Sha Tin Jockey Club Public Swimming Pool, champions of the 5th Asia Swimming Championships (Diving), Mr Fan Hua-qiang and Miss Li Rong-juan, as well as winners of the National Figure-swimming Championships, joined by local masters, will give diving and synchronised swimming performances.

Besides, residents will have an opportunity to play table-tennis with mainland elite in Yuen Wo Road IRC apart from watching friendly matches between the GSTI and local players.

In Yuen Wo Road Playground, tennis players will be able to test their skills by using automatic serving machines and speed detectors. There will also be demonstrations by renowned Regal basketball team, winner of the Asian Basketball Confederation Championship Cup in 1997 and the first runner-up this year.

Other play-in sessions of the carnival will include golf-driving, cycling, water sports and children sports games.

In Sha Tin Sports Ground, there will be a percussion concert, stunt-cycling and Chinese folk dance performances as well as a tai chi demonstration by about 1 000 residents who had attended Pro RC courses. Moreover, a telegame between Pro RC members and school principals of Shatin will be staged.

Two previews have been specially arranged for residents in New Territories West from 7 to 9 pm on June 30 (Tuesday) - table tennis at Tsuen Wan West IRC and diving and synchronised swimming at Kwai Shing Swimming Pool.

The public can call 2609 4579 for enquiries on the sports carnival and the previews. Enquiries on the Pro RC facilities open day can be made at the following numbers:

Islands 2852 3220

Kwai Tsing 2424 7201

North 2679 2819

Sai Kung 2792 4149

Tseung Kwan O Office 2701 9427

(Sai Kung)

Shatin 2634 0111

Tai Po 2654 1406

Tsuen Wan 2414 2648

Tuen Mun 2451 0304

Yuen Long 2478 4342

End/Tuesday, June 16, 1998

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