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Working out in an air-conditioned gym is fine, but for those genuinely sporty souls who relish in training hard and winning competitions, Community Sports Clubs are the way to go.
Thirty-six Community Sports Clubs which have performed best in inter-club competitions since July 2005 were today (March 19) honoured by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) at a prize presentation ceremony held for the first time.
The ten sports played in the competitions were archery, badminton, DanceSport, gateball, handball, judo, rowing, squash, Taekwondo and tennis.
To enhance the standard of play at the community level and to encourage people to engage in sports, the LCSD has been assisting the National Sports Associations (NSAs) in forming Community Sports Clubs in the 18 districts since 2001. It has also been providing funds for these non-profit making clubs to organise training courses and competitions.
Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony held at Shek Kip Mei Park Sports Centre, the Chairman of the Community Sports Committee, Mr Chau How-chen, said: "In four years﷿time, the ﷿Community Sports Club Scheme﷿has expanded to include 27 NSAs. There are over 250 Community Sports Clubs formed with a total membership of 25,000.
"Activities organised under the Community Sports Club Scheme, such as training courses and inter-club competitions, enrich participants﷿social life and enhance their sense of belonging to the community, adding to social cohesion and harmony."
In 2005/06, the Community Sports Clubs organised over 1,100 activities for over 29,000 participants.
Also officiating at the prize presentation ceremony was the Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure Services), Mr Alan Siu. Representatives of the NSAs and the 18 District Councils also attended.
As a membership drive for the Community Sports Clubs, a sports carnival was held in Shek Kip Mei Park before the prize presentation ceremony. Visitors enjoyed play-ins in tennis, gateball, sports climbing, indoor rowing, Taekwondo and Tai Chi. Many took the opportunity to enquire about joining Community Sports Clubs at their booths.
Ends/Sunday, March 19, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:57
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