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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (August 5) organised Sport For All Day, with free recreational programmes held at designated sports centres in the 18 districts and the majority of its leisure facilities available for free use by the public.
It is the fourth consecutive year that LCSD has held Sport For All Day to promote sport for all. With "Stay Active, Exercise For Half an Hour Daily" as the event slogan, Sport For All Day this year encouraged members of the public to nurture a habit of doing physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day.
Speaking at a launch ceremony for the event held at Siu Sai Wan Sports Centre this afternoon, the Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Florence Hui, said she hoped people could enjoy fully the fun of sport by taking part in today's activities so as to lead a healthy life.
"It has all along been the SAR Government's long-term strategy to promote sport for all, to train and nurture elite athletes and to develop Hong Kong into a hub for sports events. In advocating sport for all, the SAR Government has constructed a variety of community facilities and organised various activities throughout the territory to create an ambience conducive to sports development at the community level," she said.
She also extended her congratulations to Hong Kong cyclist, Lee Wai-sze, who has won a bronze medal at the London Olympics, and encouraged her to strive for good results in her upcoming competitions.
Also officiating at today's launch ceremony were the Vice President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr Victor Hui; the Chairman of the Community Sports Committee, Mr William Tong; the Vice Chairman of the Eastern District Council, Mr Wong Kin-pan; and the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Bobby Cheng.
In a joint appeal with Sport Ambassadors or representatives of the 18 districts, the officiating guests called on the public to engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day and to support Hong Kong athletes to strive for good results in the Olympic Games. At the ceremony, local elite athletes Mr Li Ching, Mr Ko Lai-chak, Miss Annie Au, Miss Lau Ching-man and Mr Yu Pok-man also shared their sporting experiences to inspire members of the public to do more exercise.
In addition to Olympic-themed activities, the LCSD held various free recreational programmes at designated sports centres in the 18 districts today. These included exercise demonstrations, parent-child sports programmes, fitness corners and sports participation activities for people of all ages.
The LCSD also made available the majority of its leisure facilities for free use by the public today. These included indoor leisure facilities such as badminton courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, netball courts, volleyball courts, squash courts, table tennis tables, American pool tables, billiard tables, carom tables, sport climbing walls, bowling greens, golf facilities, fitness rooms, activity rooms and dance rooms. Also available for free use were certain outdoor leisure facilities like tennis courts, tennis practice courts, bowling greens, batting cages, rope courses, sport climbing walls, archery ranges and golf facilities. Other free-use facilities included public swimming pools and craft at water sports centres.
Sport For All Day this year is co-organised with the Department of Health; the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sports Medicine and Health Sciences Centre; the Postgraduate Diploma/Master of Science in Sports Medicine and Health Science Alumni Association of the Chinese University of Hong Kong; and the Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China.
Ends/Sunday, August 5, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:49
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