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The Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Thomas Chow, today (September 6) watched and cheered for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Torch Relay in the Chinese capital to bolster the morale of Hong Kong athletes and torchbearers taking part in the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games (Games).
There were 240 torchbearers participating in the torch relay held in Beijing. Among them, 10 torchbearers are from Hong Kong. They are Mr Kwong Kam-shing, Mr Leung Yuk-wing, Ms Karen Kwok, Ms Cannie Leung, Mr Poon Kin-lui, Mr Silas Chiang, Mr Lau Sik, Ms Chan yui-chong, Mr Zheng Kangzhao and Ms Liu Tung-mui, who are disabled athletes, coaches, persons with contributions to promoting sports for the disabled and outstanding disabled persons.
A total of 22 athletes sent by the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled will take part in the Games between September 6 and 17, and will compete in eight sports, namely athletics, boccia, equestrian, rowing, power lifting, shooting, table tennis and wheelchair fencing.
Shortly after his arrival yesterday (September 5), Mr Chow visited the Paralympic Village and met members of the Hong Kong delegation.
The team was delighted to be presented by Mr Chow with cheering cards carrying words of best wishes of Hong Kong citizens.
The cheering cards were collected in the Cheering Campaign held with the Olympic Live Site in Hong Kong for the Games. School students and members of the public are encouraged to fill in the cheering cards to show their support for the Games and the athletes.
Mr Chow took pride in the athletes for their perseverance in overcoming adversities, enabling them to take part in the Games. He was confident that they would rise to the challenge and bring the honour to themselves and Hong Kong.
Also present at the visit was the Chef de Mission of the Delegation, Mr Ng Chak-li.
Mr Chow will visit the Fencing Hall of National Convention Centre tomorrow (September 7) to show his support to Hong Kong athletes participating at boccia event.
He will leave Beijing for Hong Kong in the afternoon.
Ends/Saturday, September 6, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:15
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