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The sportACT Award Scheme attracted the participation of about 200,000 students from some 370 schools in 2008/09, showing that the scheme received enthusiastic support from schools.
Established by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) in 2006, the Scheme aims to encourage students to get into the habit of exercising. At the 2009 School Sports Programme annual prize presentation ceremony held today (October 14), Active School Awards were presented to winning schools under the sportACT Award Scheme.
Under the Scheme, gold, silver and bronze awards are presented according to the amount of time a student spends on sports within six of the eight weeks. Gold awards are given for exercising three times per week with accumulation of at least five hours of exercise. Silver awards are presented for exercising three times per week with accumulation of at least four hours of exercise. Bronze awards are for exercising twice a week with the accumulation of at least three hours of exercise.
Schools signed a charter pledging support for their students in meeting the target of exercising at least 18 hours within eight weeks and were awarded accordingly.
In 2008/09, 119 schools were awarded Active School Awards as 25% of the students at these schools met the exercise target.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Convenor of Student Sports Activities Co-ordinating Subcommittee, Mr Yeung Hoi-cheung, encouraged schools which had not yet participated in the sportACT Award Scheme to do so in the coming year by signing the charter to motivate students to exercise regularly and make it a habit in order to develop a strong and healthy physique.
Mr Yeung noted that the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games would be held in December this year. He said students could watch the Games to enhance their interest in and knowledge of sport.
The champions and first, second and third runners-up and merit awards of the School Sports Programme's Easy Sports Competition were also awarded at today's ceremony. There was a total 785 awards in 10 sports in the competition.
Also officiating at today¡¦s ceremony were Assistant Director of Health (Health Promotion) of the Department of Health, Dr Regina Ching; the Chief Curriculum Development Officer (Physical Education) of the Education Bureau, Mr Lai Yiu-keung, and the LCSD's Chief Leisure Manager (Sports Development), Ms Annie Lam.
Launched by the LCSD in 2001 to encourage primary, secondary and special school students to participate regularly in sports during their leisure time, the School Sports Programme consists of seven subsidiary programmes: the Sport Education Programme, Easy Sport Programme, Sport Captain Programme, Outreach Coaching Programme, Joint Schools Sports Training Programme, Badges Award Scheme and Sport Award Scheme.
Ends/Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:55
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