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Through a close rapport with district organisations, the Government strives to foster a sporting culture at the community level, enhance the quality of life and strengthen social cohesion within society.
Officiating at the prize-presentation ceremony of a mini-soccer contest called futsal competition in Yat Tung Estate of Tung Chung today (January 14), Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Carrie Lam, said that in line with the objectives of promoting neighbourhood network and social harmony in last year's Policy Address, various capital projects including a swimming pool, library, community hall, sports centre and major park are being planned and are expected to be completed in a few years. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has also earmarked funding to build a five-a-side soccer pitch at Area 27 and a seven-a-side soccer pitch at Area 40 at Tung Chung.
Mrs Lam added that today's futsal competition marks the launch of the "Kicking off from Tung Chung" project organised by the LCSD, the Islands District Office, relevant district organisations and schools. The project aims to foster a healthy lifestyle and broaden the social circle of youngsters in the Tung Chung area through a wide range of recreation and sports activities including soccer, swimming, Chinese shuttlecock, rope-skipping and hiking.
Divided into Open, Youth and Junior categories, the competition involved some 60 teams and adopted a group round-robin and single knock-out system. Each team comprised three members. There were no goal-keepers and each match was finished in a tight, but exciting, time-frame of three minutes in a fenced-off football field measuring nine metres by 15 metres. These are a few features that distinguish it from traditional soccer games.
A goodwill match played by teams comprising representatives from the Hong Kong Football Association, the Home Affairs Panel of the Legislative Council, the Islands District Council and the Islands District Sports Association was held to boost the atmosphere.
Also, a fun public carnival with games stalls, Chinese shuttlecock play-in, inflatable bouncer and clown performances was featured today.
Officiating guests of today's prize-presentation ceremony included Chairman of the Islands District Council, Mr Lam Wai-keung; President of Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr Timothy Fok; Legislative Councillor Mr Albert Chan Wai-yip, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Thomas Chow; Islands District Officer, Mr Byron Lam, and Chairman of the Association of School Heads of Islands District, Mr Au Yeung Sung-fan.
Ends/Sunday, January 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 20:07
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