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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (April 20) that to tie in with the Hong Kong Cycling Team's high standard special training to prepare for the 2016 Olympics Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the LCSD has approved the Team's application for the use of the Hong Kong Velodrome (HKV) for certain periods during the day starting from tomorrow (April 21), during which the arena of the HKV will be closed temporarily for the closed door training.
The Head Coach of the Hong Kong Cycling Team, Mr Shen Jinkang, said, "The HKV, being a world-class venue with advanced facilities, meets the stringent training needs of the Hong Kong Cycling Team. We hope that the Hong Kong Team could receive full and highly concentrated training during the designated training periods for better preparation for international competitions."
A spokesman for the LCSD said that the HKV, as the only indoor cycling facility in Hong Kong that presently meets the standards of the International Cycling Union (Union Cycliste Internationale, UCI) has a core mission to provide a local, fixed and quality training base for the Team.
"We are glad to be able to provide a designated venue for the Hong Kong Team, and wish all team members to receive comprehensive training in their designated training periods, enabling them to bring their extraordinary skills into full play at international competitions and to win glory for Hong Kong again," he said.
The arena of the HKV is equipped with a wooden cycling track, a multi-purpose arena which can be converted into eight badminton courts, two basketball courts or two volleyball courts, and a spectator stand. All these facilities will be temporarily closed during the Team's closed door training sessions. For the time-slots that are not used for closed-door training, the facilities are open for public booking as usual.
During the closure of the HKV arena, members of the public may use similar facilities at the nearby Tseung Kwan O Sports Centre, Hang Hau Sports Centre and the soon-to-be-opened Tiu Keng Leng Sports Centre, or Po Lam Sports Centre and Tsui Lam Sports Centre in the same district for badminton/basketball/volleyball activities.
Other facilities of the HKV including activity rooms, a children's playroom, a dance room and a fitness room, will be opened for public use as usual.
Members of the public may call HKV staff at 2878 8622 for more details.
Ends/Monday, April 20, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:36
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