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Four Hong Kong athletes who won medals at the 2006 Doha Asian Games joined a thousand health-conscious people at a ceremony at Harbour Road Sports Centre today (January 13) in pledging to exercise regularly for the benefit of their health.
Mr Chan Yun-to, Ms Rebecca Chiu Wing-yin, Ms Yip Pui-yin, Ms Lee Ka-man and everyone present signed an "Exercise Charter" and became members of a newly launched "My Exercise Diary" scheme, which, with its series of "exercise appointments", is designed to make it easier and more enjoyable for them to keep the pledge.
The "My Exercise Diary" scheme is jointly organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Department of Health with assistance from the Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China. It is the latest theme activity of the Healthy Exercise for All Campaign, which was jointly launched by the two departments in 2000 to encourage the public to exercise every day.
Between now and March 31, members of the scheme will be able to join free-of-charge jogging workshops, yoga workshops, hiking trips, exercise and health seminars and a sports carnival. The purpose of these "exercise appointments" is to induce each member to choose a form of exercise suitable to his age and physical fitness and to do it 30 minutes a day.
The scheme was kicked off today by the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Thomas Chow, and the Deputy Director of Health, Dr T.H. Leung.
The Chairman of the Community Sports Committee, Mr Chau How-chen, was present to lead the participants and guests in making their pledge to integrate exercise into their daily lives.
Those who had taken the pledge were able to pick up tips about exercise and health immediately at the sports centre where free physical fitness tests, consultation services, sports demonstrations, play-in sessions, and health talks and exhibitions were offered.
People who have missed today's kick-off ceremony can still become members of the "My Exercise Diary" scheme by completing a registration form available at any District Leisure Services Offices of the LCSD and at the webpage of the "Healthy Exercise for All Campaign" at http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/healthy/en/index.php.
On completion of the simple registration procedure, an applicant will receive a "My Exercise Diary" booklet. The booklet, apart from containing a wealth of information about exercise and health, will be his "passport" to the exercise appointments.
For enquiries about the "My Exercise Diary" scheme, please call 2601 8809 or visit http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/healthy/en/index.php.
Ends/Saturday, January 13, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:30
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