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

A large-scale carnival introducing the development of five sports activities -- badminton, table tennis, football, swimming and basketball -- in the territory opened today (Friday).

The Sports Promotion Carnival is organised by the Provisional Regional Council (Pro RC) and assisted by the Hong Kong Badminton Association, Hong Kong Table Tennis Association, Hong Kong Football Association, Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association, Hong Kong Basketball Association, Chinese Young Men's Christian Association of Hong Kong and South China Athletic Association.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Vice-Chairman of the Pro RC, Mr Tony Kan, said the Sports Promotion Carnival was one of the celebration programmes to usher in the new millennium.

"The Carnival mainly features an exhibition reviewing the territory's sports development in the past century. Another highlight will be the triangular league among Hong Kong, Guangdong and Xiamen's badminton teams," Mr Kan said.

To enable participants to enjoy the sports, the Carnival provided participants with demonstration, coaching and play-in sessions.

"The Carnival will be concluded with a seminar during which some of the best athletes and coaches such as Mr Chow Chee-kiang, Mr Cheng Chung-yin, Mr Chan Chi-choi, Mr Johnny Li and Mr Choi Fong-yue, will share their experience, joy and sorrow, with the members of the public," Mr Kan added.

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to relive wonderful moments in the sports arena by watching hundreds of photographs; as well as video shows on exciting international competitions as well as demonstration of basic skills of these five sports.

The exhibition is opened to the public from 9 am to 10 pm from today (Friday) to 14 (Sunday) at Yuen Wo Road Indoor Recreation Centre in Sha Tin and from November 19 (Friday) to 21 (Sunday) at Wai Tsuen Indoor Recreation Centre in Tsuen Wan. Admission to both exhibition and sports promotion events are free.

Also officiating at today's opening ceremony were Chairman of Hong Kong Football Association, Mr Martin Hong; Chairman of Hong Kong Table Tennis Association, Mr Tony Yue; Vice-Chairman of Hong Kong Badminton Association, Mr Lee Tak-sing; Hon Treasurer of Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association, Ms Agnes Tsang; Hon Secretary of Hong Kong Basketball Association, Mr Leung Che-kung; Deputy General Secretary of Chinese Young Men's Christian Association of Hong Kong, Mr Karl Lau; and Chairman of South China Athletic Association, Mr Victor Hui.

End/Friday, November 12, 1999

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