*********************************************************
The Hong Kong delegation achieved encouraging results in the 1st Asian Beach Games (1st ABG) just completed in Bali, Indonesia, by winning a total of eight medals, comprising three gold, three silver and two bronze.
The President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr Timothy Fok, the Hon Secretary of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr Pang Chung, the Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure Services), Mr Vincent Liu, and the Assistant Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure Services), Miss Olivia Chan, welcomed the athletes home upon their arrival at the Hong Kong International Airport tonight (October 27).
A total of 29 athletes took part in seven sports out of 17 official sports and two demonstration sports in the Bali 1st ABG, including beach handball, beach volleyball, body building, marathon swimming, sailing, triathlon and windsurfing.
Natasha Tang Wing Yung, won the first gold medal for the Hong Kong delegation in the women's 5km marathon swimming and later a bronze medal in the 10km competition.
The windsurfing team achieved outstanding results by winning one gold and two silver medals. The gold medal was won by Cheng Kwok Fai while his teammates, Ho Chi Ho and Chan Wai Kei, scored silver medals.
Daniel Lee Chi Wo won a gold medal in the triathlon. Andrew James Wright grabbed one more bronze for Hong Kong.
Another silver medal was won by the Hong Kong sailing team in the Hobie 16 (team) event.
The Asian Beach Games is a new multi-sport event initiated by the Olympic Council of Asia and is held every two years for athletes representing Asian countries and regions to participate in mainly non-Olympic and beach oriented sports.
The 1st ABG was held in Bali, Indonesia, from October 18 to 26, 2008. A total of 45 countries and regions with some 10,000 athletes and officials participated.
Ends/Monday, October 27, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:58
NNNN