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Seventy-two representatives from Yuen Long district participated in a torch relay in Tin Shui Wai today (December 3) to celebrate the hosting of the 2009 East Asian Games (EAG) in Hong Kong and spread the Games' spirit across the district.
The event, the only torch relay held at the district level over the territory, started from Tin Shui Wai Sports Ground at 9am. Apart from the 72 torch bearers, 200 people were invited to be the torch escorts.
The flame was first relayed within the sports ground and then passed to a student torch bearer who began the outdoor relay run along Tin Wu Road, Tin Shui Road, Tin Sau Road and Tin Shing Road in Tin Shui Wai. Finally, the torch was brought back to Tin Shui Wai Sports Ground where the Chairman of Yuen Long District Council, Mr Leung Che-cheung, and District Officer (Yuen Long), Mr Yeung Tak-keung, used the flame to light the cauldron. The 5km torch relay lasted about one hour.
Apart from Yuen Long district councillors, representatives of district organisations, athletes and students, local residents, four rehabilitated teen drug abusers and two disabled athletes were invited to form the team of torch bearers and torch escorts to promote the message of a harmonious and inclusive society.
The Yuen Long Joint Secondary Schools Sports Competition was held at Tin Shui Wai Sports Ground after the torch relay, and prizes were presented to the student athletes from Yuen Long who are representing Hong Kong in the EAG, 39 outstanding secondary student athletes and 32 outstanding primary student athletes.
The Tin Shui Wai Torch Relay cum Yuen Long Joint Secondary Schools Sports Competition was organised by the Yuen Long District Working Group on EAG under the Yuen Long District Council, co-organised by the Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation Yuen Long Secondary Schools Area Committee and the Yuen Long District Office, and sponsored by the Yuen Long District Council.
Ends/Thursday, December 3, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:11
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