***********************************************************
To promote sport for all and call on people to do physical exercise regularly, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is once again organising the Sport For All Day this year. Free recreation programmes will be organised while various fee-charging leisure facilities will be open for free use by the public.
The Sport For All Day will be staged on August 7 (Sunday), with fitness walking as the main theme this year and the slogan "Be Smart and Healthy. Let's Take a Brisk Walk Daily". Members of the public are encouraged to participate in fitness walking or other physical activities regularly for at least a cumulative 30 minutes a day and three days a week.
"A launching ceremony will be held at the Ma On Shan Sports Centre in the afternoon on August 7 to arouse public awareness and encourage participation," a spokesman for the LCSD said today (July 7).
"To tie in with this year's theme, the officiating guests will launch the walking trails in 18 districts at the ceremony. The Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China, will give a demonstration on fitness walking, and the public will be invited to take a stroll along the Ma On Shan Promenade. Moreover, similar fitness walking activities will be held at the designated walking tracks in Hong Kong Park, Po Kong Village Road Park and Tsing Yi Park simultaneously to create a strong sporting atmosphere in the community."
The spokesman said the various programmes being organised are aimed at encouraging people of different ages to take part in physical activities regularly.
Between 2pm and 6pm on the Sport For All Day on August 7, free recreation programmes will be provided at designated sports centres in the 18 districts. In addition to activities related to fitness walking, the programmes will include health talks and exercise demonstrations, fitness corners, parent-child sports programmes and opportunities for the middle-aged, the elderly and the disabled to play sports, as well as sports demonstrations.
Another highlight of the Sport For All Day is the opening of various LCSD facilities for free use by the public on the day.
"In doing so, we hope to attract those who do not take part in physical activities regularly to start doing exercises, thereby encouraging the cultivation of a healthy lifestyle and hence promoting a strong sporting culture in the community," the spokesman said.
The leisure facilities to be open for free use on August 7 include:
* Indoor leisure facilities - badminton courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, netball courts, volleyball courts, squash courts, table tennis tables, billiard tables, sport climbing walls, bowling greens, golf facilities, fitness rooms, activity rooms and dance rooms;
* Outdoor leisure facilities - tennis courts, bowling greens, batting cages, rope courses, sport climbing walls, archery ranges and golf facilities;
* Public swimming pools (except for Wan Chai Swimming Pool); and
* Water craft at water sports centres.
Camping facilities, sports grounds and turf pitches will not be included for free use.
Enrolment for the free programmes on August 7 can be made at the LCSD District Leisure Services Offices or designated venues in 18 districts starting from July 18 (Monday) onwards on a first-come, first-served basis.
Booking for free land-based leisure facilities and water craft at water sports centres on August 7 can be made at all Leisure Link booking counters at LCSD venues from July 31 (Sunday) onwards on a first-come, first-served basis. This applies to the facilities which have not been block booked by organisations on August 7. Irrespective of the types of leisure facilities, each person can only book one free session.
No prior booking is required for free admission to the LCSD's swimming pools on August 7. Those interested should line up at the entrance of the swimming pools before the opening hours of each session on that day. Free admission will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
The spokesman called on members of the public to support the Sport For All Day on August 7 by actively participating in various activities. The LCSD will appeal to the 18 District Councils, National Sports Associations and community sport organisations, as well as privately-run sports clubs and health centres, to encourage them to provide free activities and facilities for the public on August 7 as well in support of the Sport For All Day.
For details of the Sport For All Day, please refer to the dedicated homepage at www.lcsd.gov.hk/specials/sfad2011/en/index.php , and for enquiries, please call 2414 5555.
The Sport For All Day is co-organised with the Department of Health, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sports Medicine and Health Sciences Centre, the Hong Kong Medical Association, the Hong Kong Centre of Sports Medicine and Sports Science, the Postgraduate Diploma/ Master of Science in Sports Medicine and Health Science Alumni Association, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China.
Ends/Thursday, July 7, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:16
NNNN
