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Members of the public, especially sports enthusiasts, are invited to "shop" for rackets at a reasonable and attractive price at the "Charity Sale of Second-hand Rackets" at Kowloon Park this Sunday (November 24).

Over 2,000 "new" and second-hand rackets, including badminton rackets, squash rackets, table-tennis bats and tennis rackets, will be put up for sale at the charity event.

The charity sale is jointly organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the Community Chest of Hong Kong, the Agency for Volunteer Service, the Hong Kong Badminton Association, the Hong Kong Squash, the Hong Kong Table Tennis Association and the Hong Kong Tennis Association.

It is aimed at promoting the concept of sports as well as encouraging the recycling of rackets. Sports-lovers will therefore not only share the fun with other people but also make contribution to charity.

All revenues generated from the sale will be donated to the Community Chest of Hong Kong to help the needy.

A LCSD spokesman said, "We have to thank for the active public participation in the rackets donation campaign to bring the charity event to a success."

"Also, special thanks should also be extended to a number of Hong Kong athletes who have also shown their keen support to the charity sale by donating their own treasured rackets. They have donated a total of 27 rackets, including 16 table tennis bats, six squash rackets, three tennis rackets and two badminton rackets. Some of them even signed their names on the rackets," the spokesman added.

They include:

- Ms Rebecca Chiu Wing-yin, the Gold Medal Winner of the 14th Asian Games Busan 2002 Women's Squash;

- Mr Cheung Yuk and Ms Tie Yana, the Gold Medal Winners of the 14th Asian Games Busan 2002 Mixed Doubles Table Tennis;

- Ms Ling Wan-ting, the Bronze Medal Winner of the 14th Asian Games Busan 2002 Ladies' Badminton Team;

- Mr Li Ching and Mr Ko Lai-chak, the Bronze Medal Winner of the 14th Asian Games Busan 2002 Men's Table Tennis Team;

- Mr Faheem Khan, the Hong Kong Men's Squash Senior No.1;

- Ms Christina Mak Wai-ying, the Hong Kong Women's Squash Senior No.2;

- Mr Wong Wai-hang, the Hong Kong Men's Top Squash Player No.2;

- Mr Tony Choi, the Head Coach of Hong Kong Squash;

- Mr Brian Hung and Mr Yu Hiu-tung, who are currently ranked No.1 and No.2 respectively among all under 18 Junior Tennis Players in Hong Kong;

- Ms Cindy Lee, full-time women's tennis player

The spokesman also said, "We should not forget to acknowledge the generous donation by 11 sponsor companies, which have contributed hundreds of new rackets to the sale."

The sponsor companies include:

- Dunlop Slazenger (HK) Ltd.;

- Growth Plus Co.;

- Hanasia International Ltd.;

- Kowloon Sporting Goods Co. Ltd.;

- Mister Keen Sports Goods;

- Postsky Company;

- Prasidha (Hong Kong) Ltd.;

- Shriro Sports Ltd. (sponsored Gosen badminton rackets; Head squash and tennis rackets);

- Sing Wo Sports Ltd.;

- Talent Perfect Development Ltd. (sponsored Pro Kennex tennis and badminton rackets);

- Yasaki International Co. Ltd.

All rackets to be put up for sale at the charity event are in good conditions and ready for use, and hundreds even are brand new ones.

At the sale, there will also be a charity auction - sales of rackets donated by the Hong Kong "sports stars", right after the kick-off ceremony.

"Bidding for these rackets is expected to be keen and interested participants wishing to "own" rackets of their favourite athletic "stars" are encouraged to come earlier," the spokesman added.

The remaining donated rackets will be put up for sale at a price of $20 or above according to their quality at counters at the venues.

The Sale will start from 11.30 am till 6 pm at the Foyer of the Swimming Pool of Kowloon Park.

The spokesman said, "All members of the public are appealed to show their support to the charity sale. Please don't forget to bring the "ammunition" and bid for the favourite rackets."

End/Friday, November 22, 2002

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