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In response to media enquiries, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (August 31) said that the repair works on the protuberance on the tracks at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground (TKOSG) is expected to be completed within two weeks.
The Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association (HKAAA) can continue staging various activities in the Sports Ground afterwards. The planned test trials of athletic competitions for the East Asian Games(EAG) scheduled for November 21 and 22 at TKOSG by the HKAAA and the EAG organiser will not be affected.
The LCSD spokesman stressed that according to the rules of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), minor repair works for the athletic track at a sports ground will not affect its quality and accreditation.
Officers of the LCSD, Architectural Services Department(ArchSD) and the overseas supplier of the track materials had jointly inspected the TKOSG today.
The spokesman emphasized that there were proper supervisory measures during the construction of the Sports Ground to ensure that its quality was up to standard. The main contractor had hired track installation specialist for the track-laying who had constructed athletic tracks in other countries.
The ground was inspected before the track-installation by licensed surveyor that was accredited by the IAAF to ensure it conformed with all requirements. During the track-installation, site supervision staff of ArchSD monitored the construction regularly to ensure its quality was up to standard.
When the TKOSG project was completed, the track had passed IAAFˇ¦s inspection and test, including the onsite test and the track sample test in laboratory, and the track was accredited by IAAF.
The initial assessment of the problem on the track was that it might be caused by the humidity during construction. As the running track is still within the 10 years of warranty period, the repair works will be undertaken by the contractor.
Upon finding the slightly protruding areas on the 100-metre running track near the starting point and near the long jump and triple jump pit areas, the staff of the TKOSG notified the ArchSD and the main contractor for follow-up action.
The construction of the TKOSG was completed in the end of March 2009 and the sports ground received the IAAF accreditation on April 4. The LCSD took over the sports ground from ArchSD on March 31. So far six athletic competitions in 12 days have been held at the sports ground. The HKAAA has earlier on held various competitions, in small and large scale, to test the different aspects of various athletic sports.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club International BMX Park which is now under construction at the Gin Drinkers Bay in Kwai Chung will be completed on schedule in October. Test trials will be conducted at the park later, the spokesman said, adding that other EAG competition venues are all ready for use.
Ends/Monday, August 31, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:47
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