*******************************************************
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, said today (September 2) that after the successful conclusion of the Olympic Equestrian Events, the Government would do its best in preparing for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Equestrian Events so as to realise the goal of "Two Games, Equal Splendour".
Speaking at a press conference this afternoon on Hong Kong's preparation for the Paralympic Equestrian Events, Mr Tsang said he was delighted to see that the preparatory work had been completed.
Mr Tsang has earlier visited the Hong Kong Paralympic Village and the Paralympic Equestrian Events competition venue in Sha Tin. He was glad to note that various alterations had been made to meet the special needs of disabled athletes, such as facilities for wheel-chair users.
He also said he hoped that through the events, the Paralympic spirit of transcendence, integration and equality could be further promoted.
Also attending the press conference were the Chairperson of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, Mrs Jenny Fung; the Chief Executive Officer of the Equestrian Company, Mr Lam Woon-kwong; the Assistant Commissioner for Transport (New Territories), Miss Cindy Law; and the Chief Superintendent of Police Public Relations Branch, Mr Ng Ka-sing.
Mrs Jenny Fung said that the Paralympic Equestrian Events was much more than a sporting event.
"Appreciating the talent and skills of the dressage riders aside, we have much to learn from their resilience and perseverance, in particular their ability to take on the many challenges in life, work even harder, and excel. With the start of the new school term in September, the Paralymic Equestrian Events present an excellent learning experience for our students, an opportunity that should not be missed," Mrs Fung said.
There will be a record-breaking 73 athletes and 71 horses from 28 countries/regions participating in nine events, which will be held from September 7 to 11 at the Sha Tin venue.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Equestrian Company, Mr Lam Woon-kwong, noted that all Paralympic equestrian events to be held were dressage competitions.
He said, "We thank Hong Kong people for their enthusiastic support for the Olympic Equestrian Events. After having riders qualified for the Olympic Equestrian Games, we are delighted to see that Peng Yulian of China's team and Nelson Yip of the Hong Kong team have both successfully qualified for the Paralympic Equestrian Events. We hope that people will continue to show their support for the China and Hong Kong athletes at the home venue."
Tickets for the Paralympic Equestrian Events have been available for public sale since August 29 through China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited. So far 60% of the tickets has been sold. A number of the tickets is designated as "education tickets" and will be distributed via educational institutions to enable students to learn from athletes' tenacity and perseverance.
During the staging of the events, special traffic arrangements in Sha Tin will be implemented. At the press conference, Assistant Commissioner for Transport (New Territories), Miss Cindy Law, advised the spectators heading for the venue to travel by rail to University Station and change to the free shuttle buses provided by the Equestrian Company.
She also reminded wheel-chair spectators to make advance bookings for the rehabus service arranged by the Equestrian Company in collaboration with the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation to travel between their hotels/places of residence and the venue.
"The traffic in the vicinity of University Station was busy in the evening and the traffic queue extended to Tolo Highway during the Olympic Equestrian Events period. It is anticipated that the traffic flow will be very busy after the commencement of the new school term. The public are advised to make use of public transport services and avoid going to the affected areas," she added.
On security arrangements, Chief Superintendent of Police Public Relations Branch, Mr Ng Ka-sing, said Police would maintain a high degree of vigilance and state of operational readiness during the Paralympic Equestrian Events.
He said, "We note that all the security measures implemented during the Olympic Equestrian Events have proved effective. Similar practices will be adopted during the Paralympic Equestrian Events by putting in place and maintaining at all times appropriate levels of security.
"The force will work in close partnership with the Equestrian Company and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the events," he added.
Ends/Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:40
NNNN
Windows Media format
Real Media format