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Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre in Sai Ying Pun was filled with joy and cheering today (March 29) as cheerleaders from the 18 districts performed in the 5th Hong Kong Games (HKG) Cheering Team Competition, demonstrating brilliant skills and determination to win with sophisticated slogans and dance moves for their districts.
Speaking at today's competition, the Chairman of the 5th HKG Organising Committee, Mr William Tong, urged the public to support athletes from the 18 districts and take part in the Games and related activities.
Apart from sports competitions, the 5th HKG also offers a wide range of community involvement activities for public participation. Mr Tong said the Cheering Team Competition today was one of the highlights, not only to cheer for the athletes representing the 18 districts, but also to convey a team spirit while livening up the competitive and enjoyable HKG.
Cheerleaders in attractive costumes were led to the arena by representatives from the 18 districts. Their dancing, cheering and chanting showcased the unique characteristics and vitality of their districts in performances lasting 90 to 150 seconds.
The competition offers the Best Performance Award and the Best Local Characteristic Award, with championship, first runner-up and second runner-up prizes to be awarded, and the Highest Popularity Award.
The judging panel comprises representatives from the Community Sports Committee, the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), and the Cheerleading Federation of Hong Kong, China. The Best Performance Award recognises the content, action arrangement and onstage presentation of performances, as well as the skills in the movements and overall assessment. The Best Local Characteristic Award recognises teams that present the best overall impression, with cheering techniques, costumes and appearance, slogans, music and songs that reflect the characteristics of their districts. The Highest Popularity Award will be presented to the cheering team which obtains the most votes from spectators through a "one person, one vote" mechanism. Announcement of the competition results and the prize presentation will be conducted at the 5th HKG Closing cum Prize Presentation Ceremony to be held on May 31.
The district cheering teams will perform at the 5th HKG Opening Ceremony to be held at the Hong Kong Coliseum on April 25. Around 7,000 guests and members of the public will be invited to attend. Free admission tickets will be distributed at the District Leisure Services Offices (DLSOs) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) from April 10. The cheering teams will also cheer for their athletes at the sports competitions.
Other guests at today's competition included the Executive Adviser of the 5th HKG Organising Committee, Mr Chau How-chen; the Vice Chairman of the 5th HKG Organising Committee, Mr David Yip; the Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure Services), Mr Raymond Fan; and representatives of the 18 District Councils. They led the 18 district cheering teams in a ceremony to cheer on and show their support for the HKG athletes.
The HKG is held biennially with the 18 districts as participating units. It aims to create a strong sport culture in the community by providing opportunities for amateur athletes to reach their maximum potential and strengthening the cohesion of the 18 districts through the competitions. The 5th HKG will take place between April 25 and May 31. More than 3 200 district athletes will take part in eight competitions, namely athletics, badminton, basketball, futsal, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball.
In addition to the Cheering Team Competition for the 18 Districts, other community involvement activities are also under way. Members of the public can vote for "My Favourite Sporty District" and guess the "Overall Champion of the 5th HKG". Entry forms are available at the DLSOs and sports centres under the LCSD. Completed forms should be put into the collection boxes at these DLSOs or sports centres. Participants may also join the guessing and voting activities on the Games' dedicated homepage (www.hongkonggames.hk) now. The closing date for paper form submission is April 25, and that for online submission is May 10.
Photography enthusiasts can take pictures of the scenes at the sports competitions and activities of the 5th HKG to participate in the Dynamic Moments Photo Contest. Entrants should upload their photos to the HKG dedicated website or submit them via mail or in person to the LCSD by June 8. Please refer to the HKG dedicated website for details.
The 5th HKG is organised by the Sports Commission and co-ordinated by the Community Sports Committee, with the 18 District Councils, the SF&OC, relevant National Sports Associations and the LCSD as co-organisers. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is the Principal Contributor for the event.
Details of the 5th HKG and the community participation activities are available at the HKG dedicated website (www.hongkonggames.hk).
Ends/Sunday, March 29, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:42
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