********************************************************
Hong Kong Cheer Union (HKCU), which held its inaugural Asia Pacific Challenge in Hong Kong late last month, announced today (July 10) that it has set up an office in Hong Kong as part of the Australia-based group's plan to use the city to spread cheerleading across Asia.
The first event by HKCU was the two-day mega event at AsiaWorld-Expo that was held on June 28 and 29. More than 800 participants from Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Mainland China plus their families and friends gathered in Hong Kong for one of the biggest cheerleading competitions to date in the city.
The Hong Kong Cheer Union Chief Executive Officer, Ms Lynn Parker, said that the non-profit organisation is in negotiation with the US-based International Cheer Union for affiliation. She said that Hong Kong is an ideal location from which to promote cheerleading regionally by HKCU.
"Hong Kong has a very strategic location in the region. It is well connected with major markets and getting things done in Hong Kong is easy, so it will help our regional outreach now that we have a base here," Ms Parker said.
"Cheerleading has long been seen as a sophisticated activity in the West, but it is less known in its own right in Asia. There is big potential for us to grow awareness of cheerleading in the region by getting communities and schools involved," she said.
The union's next event in Hong Kong will be the Asia Open Cheerleading Championships planned for November.
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Mr Andrew Davis said that cheerleading is a new activity for many people in Hong Kong. "We are glad to see such a popular activity come to Hong Kong. The cheerleading events will also attract a lot of people to visit Hong Kong, which is a win-win outcome for our economy," he said.
About Hong Kong Cheer Union
HKCU is a designated provider of International All Star Coach Credentialing Programs, which are required among cheer coaches and dance teachers to ensure that they can meet the safety standards set by the industry. In addition, the organisation is recognised by various governing bodies in the world including the United States All Star Federation. For more information, please visit www.hkcheerunion.org .
About Invest Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government established in July 2000 to take responsibility for foreign direct investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services to help businesses succeed in Hong Kong's vibrant economy. As of December 2013, Invest Hong Kong had completed over 3 300 investment projects creating more than 36 400 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and over HK$88 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
For an event photo, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157645594892531/.
Ends/Thursday, July 10, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:10
NNNN
