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A grand Tai Chi performance with over 20,000 participants will be staged at the former Kai Tak Airport on September 30 in a bid to set a new record in Hong Kong to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Announcing the details of the Mega Tai Chi Show at a press conference today (September 22), the Chief Leisure Manager (Community Sports) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), Ms Lok Kit-ha, said the event is also the finale of LCSD¡¦s sport events organised in celebration of the 10th anniversary.
The Mega Tai Chi Show is jointly organised by the LCSD, the Hong Kong Wushu Union, the Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts Dragon and Lion Dance Association and the Hong Kong Tai Chi Association.
¡§Apart from making a record in Hong Kong in the number of people performing Tai Chi concurrently, the event will also provide an opportunity for Tai Chi enthusiasts to exchange knowledge and skills with Tai Chi masters of Hong Kong and from the Mainland,¡¨ Ms Lok said.
¡§At the Mega Tai Chi Show, over 20,000 participants will practise Tai Chi together for 20 minutes. Six renowned Tai Chi masters from the Mainland and representatives of the three Tai Chi organisations will give demonstrations.
¡§The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, will be the Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony of the show,¡¨ Ms Lok noted.
The LCSD organised a similar Tai Chi event at Happy Valley Recreation Ground in December 2001 when over 10,400 people performed Tai Chi for 30 minutes, setting a record in Hong Kong in the number of people performing Tai Chi.
¡§Response to this year¡¦s Tai Chi event has been overwhelming when enrolment commenced in April and over 20,000 Tai Chi enthusiasts of different ages and from all walks of life will take part in the event,¡¨ Ms Lok said. She attributed the enthusiastic response to the long-standing efforts of the co-organisers and various Tai Chi clubs to promote the sport at the community level.
Noting the advantages of practising Tai Chi, Ms Lok said the sport, used to be regarded as an exercise for the elderly, is suitable for people of all ages and has become increasingly popular among young people.
"The LCSD, therefore, launched the parent-child Tai Chi made easy classes in April this year for parents to learn Tai Chi with their children, helping to strengthen their health and foster a closer relationship,¡¨ Ms Lok added.
Also present at today¡¦s press conference were the Vice-President of the Hong Kong Wushu Union, Mr Wan Hing-yuen, the Vice-President of the Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts Dragon and Lion Dance Association, Mr Lung Kai-ming, and the President of the Hong Kong Tai Chi Association, Mr Lee Fat-ping.
There was also a Tai Chi demonstration by participants of the parent-child Tai Chi made easy classes.
Ends/Saturday, September 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:23
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