Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Email this article news.gov.hk
Measures in place for Bun Scrambling Competition
************************************************

    Measures are in place to enable people to watch this year's Bun Scrambling Competition on Cheung Chau Island in an orderly manner. The competition will be held at the soccer pitch of Cheung Chau Pak Tai Temple Playground from 11.30pm on May 12 (Monday) to 12.40am on May 13.

    Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the festive event is expected to draw a large crowd to Cheung Chau.

    The Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee, LCSD, Islands District Council, Islands District Office, Police and Transport Department announced at a joint press conference today (May 7) details of the measures.

    The LCSD's Chief Leisure Manager (New Territories West), Miss Sylvia Tang, said that the opening ceremony of the Bun Scrambling Competition would begin at 11.30pm on May 12 (Monday), while the contest would start at midnight. Due to limited space, only 1,500 spectators will be accommodated on the soccer pitch of Pak Tai Temple Playground. The venue will be divided into five zones, with one of the zones designated for invited guests and the other four for the public.

    "People who are interested in watching the competition at the soccer pitch are requested to queue up at Pak She First Lane, next to Cheung Chau Fire Station, and along Ping Chong Road. Admission tickets will be distributed at 9.45pm. Each person will be given one ticket while the tickets last," Miss Tang said.

    Spectators with tickets should wait in the queue. When admission starts at 10.30pm, people should follow instructions from the Police and staff of the organisers and enter, in sequence, Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3 and then Zone 4 in an orderly manner.

    Meanwhile, TVB Jade, TVB Payvision News Channel, ATV News and Business Channel, Cable TV Live News Channel and now Direct Channel will live broadcast the event, enabling people to enjoy the spectacle at home.

    Notices will be put up from 6pm at Pier 5 in Central informing people of the schedule of the event. Notices and enquiry counters will be put up at Cheung Chau Pier and the entrance of the Pak Tai Temple Playground. People are advised to pay attention to the announcements.

    The Assistant Divisional Commander of the Hong Kong Police Force Cheung Chau Division, Mr Poon Kong-ham, said sufficient Police manpower would be deployed for crowd management.

    The Senior Transport Officer (Planning/Ferry), Miss Polly Chan Siu-mui, said that the Transport Department will closely monitor the demand for public transport on May 12 and 13, and will keep in close contact with the ferry and bus companies for making necessary transport arrangements.

    "With many people leaving after the event, First Ferry will arrange an additional ferry trip from Cheung Chau to Central at 1.15am on May 13. Extra ferry trips will be arranged when necessary," Miss Chan said.

    From about 12.30am on May 13, the bus company will operate a special cross harbour bus route 104R, running from Pier 5 in Central to Mong Kok. Overnight bus services, which depart from the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Central, will be re-routed to operate via Pier 5 in Central for passengers¡¦ convenience. These routes are: N8X (to Siu Sai Wan), N90 (to South Horizons), N182 (to Kwong Yuen, Sha Tin) and N619 (to Shun Lee, Kwun Tong).

    The Assistant District Officer (Islands District), Mr Sylvester Wong, said the manpower of St. John Ambulance Association Haw Pak Hospital (Cheung Chau) would be strengthened and additional manpower of the Government Flying Service would be on standby to provide necessary rescue or transport by helicopter.

    Miss Tang appealed to people who want to see the competition in Cheung Chau to co-operate and follow instructions given by the Police and staff of the organisers. To enjoy this traditional activity, they are advised to be patient in crowded places.

Ends/Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:56

NNNN

Print this page