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Thirty Chinese DanceSport stars were joined by Hong Kong and Macau dance athletes in a performance for more than 1,100 spectators at Shun Lee Tsuen Sports Centre tonight (January 14), ---- the first of four public performances.

Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Department of Health with assistance from the Hong Kong DanceSport Association, the "Healthy Exercise for All Campaign - Chinese DanceSport Stars Roving Demonstration" aims at encouraging people to take up DanceSport, which consists of standard and Latin American dances, as a healthy form of exercise.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Acting Assistant Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Miss Olivia Chan Yeuk-oi said, DanceSport was suitable for people of all ages and, apart from improving physical fitness, also enhanced self-confidence and sociability.

"We are proud to present the Chinese DanceSport stars in this roving demonstration with Hong Kong and Macau teams. I believe their world-class dance performance will enhance interest in this sport and facilitate its development in Hong Kong," she added.

The audience warmly applauded tonight's performance and enthusiastically participated in the play-in sessions.

The remaining three performances will be held tomorrow, Sunday and Monday (January 15, 16 and 17) at Hong Kong Park Sports Centre, Lung Sum Avenue Sports Centre and Tsing Yi Sports Centre respectively. Free tickets have been snapped up.

The Chinese DanceSport Team led by Liu Shaofan, is made up of experienced athletes who have made their mark in international competitions. Their coaches, who also perform, are Li Zhaolin, Li Xiaoyuan, Yin Weidong, Long Weimin, Cheng Bing and Qu Lajia.

The roving demonstration is one of the major programmes of the Healthy Exercise for All Campaign launched by the LCSD and Department of Health in 2000 to promote regular exercise.

Ends/Friday, January 14, 2004

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