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Applications will be accepted from tomorrow (March 15) for the Bun Scrambling Competition of the "2006 Bun Carnival" to be held at the Pak Tai Temple Playground soccer pitch, Cheung Chau, at midnight on May 6.
The Bun Scrambling Competition, revived last year following its suspension for 26 years, was well received by the public.
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the "2006 Bun Carnival" will run from April 22 to May 6 at the Pak Tai Temple Playground soccer pitch.
The event is assisted by the Cheung Chau Wai Chiu County Association Limited, Cheung Chau Rural Committee, Islands District Office of the Home Affairs Department and Hong Kong Mountaineering Union, and sponsored by the Islands District Council and 3D-GOLD Jewellery.
The Bun Scrambling Competition comprises three stages - training for the bun tower climb, selection of finalists, and final competition.
Healthy and physically fit people aged 18 or above are welcome to join the competition.
If more than 96 people apply to take part in the training session, places will be allocated by ballot. Those applicants who live, work or study on Cheung Chau will be given priority in the ballot.
The 96 selected applicants must complete the safety training sessions provided by the Hong Kong Mountaineering Union on April 22 and 23 on bun tower climbing and on accident prevention.
On completion of the training sessions, they can participate in the selection of the 12 finalists on April 29.
The shortlisted finalists will enter the final competition at midnight on May 6.
The three competitors who get the highest total scores of buns from the specified area on the bun tower within the time limit will be the winner, first runner-up and second runner-up respectively.
The Islands District Council, Islands District National Sports Associations and Cheung Chau local organisations will take part in the Bun Scrambling Invitation Relay, which will be introduced this year.
Eight teams of two will compete in this exciting relay to be staged right after the Bun Scrambling Competition. The team that grabs the designated buns on the bun tower in the shortest time will be the winner.
The prospectus and enrolment forms for the Bun Scrambling Competition will be available for collection from tomorrow at the 18 District Leisure Services Offices, and from co-organiser and assisting organisers. Interested parties may also visit the LCSD's website at www.lcsd.gov.hk.
Completed enrolment forms should be returned or mailed to the Islands District Leisure Services Office of the LCSD, at Room 622, 6/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong on or before April 4. The forms can also be submitted by fax: 2854 3949.
Festival-goers will have the chance to climb a smaller version of the bun tower during a fun day on April 30 and the Hong Kong Mountaineering Union will give climbing demonstrations. There will also be games stalls.
Participants can join in the Bun Tower Climbing Challenge by making on-site applications at the carnival. The Bun Tower Climbing Challenge is divided into four groups - the Master Group (aged 35 or above), Adult Group (aged 18 to 34), Youth Group (aged below 18 and one metre tall or taller), and Family Group (a team of two, each member must be one metre tall or taller).
Enquiries about the "Bun Carnival 2006" can be made at the Islands District Leisure Services Office on 2852 3220, or browse the LCSD's website, www.lcsd.gov.hk for more information.
Ends/Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:33
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