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The Government of the HKSAR today (January 29) announced the appointment of Mr Yeung Tak-keung, Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs, as the Commissioner for Sports with effect from February 1. Mr Yeung will be responsible for the co-ordination and implementation of the sports policy, including co-ordinating among various government bureaux and departments, National Sports Associations (NSAs) and relevant organisations. He will continue to promote and achieve the sports policy objectives of the Government, namely to promote sports in the community, to support elite sports development, and to make Hong Kong a hub for major international sports events.
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, said, "The Commissioner for Sports has to be conversant with not just sports but also governmental operations, and possess management experience. Mr Yeung has always been passionate about sports, and has participated in a wide range of ball games and distance running competitions since his schooldays. He joined the Administrative Service in 1994, and has since accumulated solid experience in both administration and management, including assisting in the organisation of the Equestrian Events of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. During his tenure as District Officer (Yuen Long), Mr Yeung took an active role in promoting sports development and increasing sports facilities in the district, as well as helping Yuen Long District to achieve remarkable results in the 2nd and 3rd Hong Kong Games."
Mr Lau said, "The promotion of sports development involves different fields of work, activities and stakeholders, resulting in the need for more intensive cross-bureau and cross-departmental co-ordination. The appointment will provide the Commissioner for Sports with a clearer mandate in terms of functions and responsibilities, thereby enhancing his liaison with sports organisations both within and outside Hong Kong."
Mr Yeung said he has always been interested in sports, and was honoured and delighted to be appointed as the Commissioner for Sports. He said, "Sports development has been making steady progress in Hong Kong in recent years. Our athletes have made remarkable achievements in various major games and competitions. Meanwhile, the standard and scale of major sports events held in Hong Kong have been enhanced significantly. Events like the Hong Kong Marathon and the UCI Track Cycling World Cup held earlier this month have attracted the attention of the city, raising enthusiasm for sports. I look forward to working closely with the sports sector and other stakeholders and making concerted efforts to further the development of sports in Hong Kong based on the foundation built."
2016 is an Olympic year, with the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games scheduled to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August and September respectively. One of the important tasks of the Commissioner for Sports in regard to supporting Hong Kong athletes to attain good results in the two events is to co-operate with the Hong Kong Sports Institute; the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China; and the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled. The Commissioner will also strengthen promotion of the two international events in Hong Kong by engaging the general public in supporting Hong Kong athletes.
The Commissioner is also entrusted with other important tasks, including taking forward the development of the Kai Tak Multi-purpose Sports Complex, spearheading the development of a Football Training Centre at the Tseung Kwan O Stage I Landfill Site, reviewing the provision of sports facilities in Hong Kong, working out strategies for enhancing the governance of NSAs in the next phase, providing support for athletes with disabilities and promoting sports participation by people with disabilities in a more comprehensive manner.
Ends/Friday, January 29, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:17
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