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The following is issued on behalf of the Provisional Regional Council:

Residents of Sha Tin as well as other areas can now have an opportunity to enjoy a new and modern recreational and sports facility with the opening of the Provisional Regional Council's (Pro RC) Ma On Shan Sports Ground.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Ma On Shan Sports Ground, the Chairman of Pro RC, Mr Lau Wong-fat, said that the completion of the Sports Ground was a realisation of Council's commitment to providing more opportunities for residents to take part in recreational and sports activities.

Mr Lau said, "The Sports Ground not only provides a venue for training and competitions, it is also ideal for holding large-scale outdoor entertainment programmes, festival activities as well as other district programmes."

Occupying an area of about 4 hectares, the $153-million Ma On Shan Sports Ground is the second standard sports ground in Sha Tin managed by the Pro RC. It houses an eleven-a-side soccer pitch, complete track and field facilities and a covered spectator stand for 1,400 people.

To mark the opening ceremony of the Sports Ground, dance performance was given by the Hong Kong Dance Federation and skills demonstration by football coaches Messrs Leung Nang-yan, Leung Sui-wing, Chan Kwok-fai and Li Chin-pang as well as trainees under Pro RC's Young Athletes Training Scheme.

There was also a friendly match between football trainees from North District and Sha Tin at this newly opened venue.

Also officiating at today's ceremony were Vice-Chairman of Pro RC, Mr Tony Kan; Chairman of Pro RC's Recreation and Sports Select Committee, Mr Chan Ping; Chairman of Pro RC's Working Group on Millennium Activities, Mr Cheng Wing-kee; Chairman of Pro RC's Finance and Administration Select Committee, Mr Leung Wo-ping; Chairman of Pro RC's Sha Tin District Committee, Mr Lam Hong-wah; Chairman of the Provisional Sha Tin District Board, Mr Alex Choy; Director of Architectural Services, Mr Pau Shiu-hung; and Director of Regional Services, Mrs Helen Yu.

End/Tuesday, December 28, 1999

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