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Swimming is one of the most popular summer pastimes in Hong Kong. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) takes an active role in the provision and management of various public swimming facilities. Last year, about 20 million people visited the public swimming pools and beaches managed by the LCSD.
To further enhance public awareness, the LCSD and the Hong Kong Life Saving Society (HKLSS) organise various activities to promote water safety every year including a slogan design competition and a poster design competition for primary and secondary school students.
This year, over 4 900 students participated in the two competitions. The theme of both competitions is to remind swimmers not to take alcoholic drinks or medicines before entering the water to ensure safety.
The entries are impressive. The LCSD has chosen the champion entry of primary school section in the slogan design competition, and the champion entry of secondary school section in the poster design competition as this year's campaign poster.
Winners of the two competitions today (June 18) received awards at the ceremony of Water Safety Campaign 2011, jointly organised by the LCSD and the HKLSS at the Kowloon Park Arcade. An exhibition of winning entries was also held at the ceremony. Game stalls promoting water safety were set up at the entrance lobby of spectator stand of Kowloon Park Swimming Pool.
Officiating at the ceremony were LCSD's Assistant Director (Leisure Services), Mr Paul Cheung; HKLSS's President, Mr Steve Lau; HKLSS's Water Safety Council Vice-chairman, Dr Patrick Wong; HKLSS's Vice-president, Mr Wai Kam-chiu; HKLSS's Chairman, Mr Anthony Chan and Vice-chairman, Dr Patrick Yeung.
Winning entries of the two competitions are now on display at the Kowloon Park Arcade until 5pm on June 25. They are also uploaded to the department's website www.lcsd.gov.hk.
Ends/Saturday, June 18, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:26
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