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Water sports is one of the most popular leisure activities in Hong Kong. Last year, more than 22 million people visited the public swimming pools and beaches managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
The department and the Hong Kong Life Saving Society organise various activities to promote water sports safety every year including a poster design competition and a slogan competition for primary and secondary school students.
This year, 4,216 students from 57 schools participated in the slogan competition, while the poster design competition attracted 201 students from 32 schools.
The theme of both competitions is reminding people to warm up well before swimming so as to reduce the risk of cramps or injuries.
The entries of this year's competitions are impressive. The department has chosen the champion entry of primary school section in the slogan competition, and the 1st runner-up entry of secondary school section in the poster design competition as this year's campaign poster.
Winners of the two competitions today (June 27) received awards at the ceremony of the Water Sports Safety Campaign 2009, jointly organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Life Saving Society at the Kowloon Park Arcade. An exhibition of winning entries was also held at the ceremony. Game stalls promoting water sports safety were set up at the entrance lobby of spectator stand of Kowloon Park Swimming Pool.
Officiating at the ceremony were the department's Assistant Director (Leisure Services), Mr Paul Cheung; the Hong Kong Life Saving Society's President, Mr Steve Lau; the Society's Water Safety Council Chairman, Mr Eric Cheung; and the Society's Vice-presidents Mr Wong Hok-yiu and Mr Wai Kam-chiu.
Winning entries of the two competitions are now on display at the Kowloon Park Arcade until 5pm on July 4. They are also available at the department's website www.lcsd.gov.hk
Ends/Saturday, June 27, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:38
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