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The 1st Hong Kong Games will be held from April 21 to May 6 to promote sports in the community. Teams representing the 18 District Councils will participate in the Games, which will be one of the major programmes to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Speaking at a ceremony in Kowloon Park today (February 15) to launch the 1st Hong Kong Games, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, said it was hoped that the first territory-wide multi-sport games would be a platform for participation, exchange and co-operation in sports at the community level.
"We hope the Games will strengthen communication and friendship among the 18 districts, forge closer partnership among all parties involved, enhance cohesiveness within communities, and promote our citizens' interest in sports and their sense of belonging to their communities," Dr Ho said.
Together with the President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr Timothy Fok; chairman of the Organising Committee of the 1st Hong Kong Games, Mr Chau How-chen; and Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Thomas Chow, Dr Ho unveiled the emblem of the Games.
The idea to hold Hong Kong's first ever territory-wide multi-sport games was endorsed by the Sports Commission last August as part of a package of initiatives to promote community sports. The proposal is supported by the 18 District Councils and the Games will be held biennially from 2007 onwards.
The Games are organised by the Sports Commission and co-ordinated by its Community Sports Committee with support from the 18 District Councils, the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, relevant National Sports Associations, the Home Affairs Bureau and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
An organising committee to plan the Games was formed last year under the Community Sports Committee and the chairmanship of Mr Chau.
The Games cover four most popular community sports, namely, athletics, basketball, badminton and table tennis.
The 18 District Councils will be the participating units. The councils will work in collaboration with the respective district sports associations and the District Leisure Services Offices of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to select athletes to represent the districts in the Games. (Please refer to the attachment for details of entry requirements.)
To enhance public awareness of the 1st Hong Kong Games and to involve the whole community in the event, the public are invited to guess which district will be the overall champion and to cast votes for "My Favourite Sporty District". Attractive prizes will be awarded to lucky winners.
At today's ceremony, Mr Chau said local elite athletes would conduct experience sharing sessions for Games participants, not just to prepare them better for the Games but also to raise the community's interests in sports.
The 18 District Councils signified their full support to the Games with their representatives making a pledge at today's ceremony.
A spectacular opening ceremony will be held at Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground on April 21. A closing and prize presentation ceremony will be held at Hong Kong Park Sports Centre on May 6.
In between, the competitions will take place at Hong Kong Park Sports Centre, Kowloon Park Sports Centre, Tsing Yi Sports Ground and Cornwall Street Squash & Table Tennis Centre.
For further information, please visit the following webpage: www.lcsd.gov.hk/specials/hkg/en/structure.php
For enquiries about the Games, please contact the Secretariat Office of the Organising Committee of the 1st Hong Kong Games at 2601 7672.
Ends/Thursday, February 15, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:06
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