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The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, visited Yuen Long today (July 30) to gain a better understanding of the youth football training programmes as well as services provided for women and youngsters there.
Mr Tsang arrived at Tin Shui Wai Sports Ground this afternoon to see the football training there. He was briefed by the chairlady of the Yuen Long District Sports Association (YLDSA), Ms Yau Tai-tai, as well as the head and deputy head of the YLDSA Football Section, Mr Man Luk-sing and Mr Wilson Wong, on the development of youth football training and promotion of football in the district.
With support from Yuen Long District Council and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the YLDSA has formed one Third Division team and four youth teams - U20, U17, U15 and U13 - to train athletes.
These teams achieved good results in the last football season. Yuen Long was the second runner-up in the Hong Kong Football Association's 2009/10 Third Division (District) Football League, leading to its promotion to Second Division next season.
"The success of the teams has proved the effectiveness of district football training. These training activities give talented teenagers the opportunity to develop their potential. Apart from having the chance to undergo formal training, they can also enhance their skills by taking part in competitions. These young athletes are not only rising stars in district football teams, but also the new blood of Hong Kong football," Mr Tsang said.
Mr Tsang also saw the community services for women and teenagers as well as community activities in the district.
In The Friends of Scouting (FOS) Jockey Club Long Ping Service Centre for Children and Youth, he listened to a briefing by FOS commissioner Mr Chan Shu-ying and centre supervisor Mr Cheng Chung-man. He also saw youngsters practising break-dancing and rock-climbing, some of the activities under the anti-youth drug abuse programme.
Since August 2009, Yuen Long District Office has allocated funds to non-governmental organisations to provide a variety of activities under the anti-youth drug abuse community programme. FOS Jockey Club Long Ping Service Centre is one of the organisations joining the programme.
During the visit, Mr Tsang took the opportunity to meet members of Yuen Long District Council and officiate at a cultural exchange event organised by the Tin Shui Wai Women's Association.
Ends/Friday, July 30, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:29
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