SHA to lead Sports Commission on study tour to Australia
********************************************************

The Secretary for Home Affairs and Chairman of the Sports Commission, Dr Patrick Ho, will lead a delegation of the Sports Commission on a study tour to Melbourne, Australia today (January 14).

Members of the delegation include the vice-chairman, two ex-officio members and three members of the Sports Commission. The Vice-Chairman is President of Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr Timothy Fok. The two ex-officio members are Chairman of Major Sports Events Committee, Mr Herman Hu and Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Anissa Wong. Three other members are Chairman of Hong Kong Sports Institute Dr Eric Li, Mr William Leung and Mr Roy Chung.

The delegation will visit Telstra Dome, a stadium with a retractable roof, Rod Laver Arena and Vodafone Arena which are the venues for the Australian Tennis Open, the Melbourne Sport and Aquatic Centre, one of the largest multi-sports centre in Australia, as well as the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which was the main venue for the Olympic Games in 1956.

The delegation will also take a look at some sports events being held in Melbourne, including the Australian Open, the Ocean Race and some community and youth sports activities.

Members of the delegation will also tour the famous Victorian Institute of Sport. They will meet with the sports and recreation authorities of Victoria and some non-government sports organisations and discuss and exchange experience on sports management as well as views on implementing sports policies.

The delegation will depart tonight (January 14) and return on January 21.


Ends/Saturday, January 14, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:00

NNNN