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The number of Community Sports Clubs run by sports enthusiasts on a voluntary basis and affiliated to National Sports Associations (NSAs) has risen from 84 in 2001/02 to the current 290, representing an increase in total membership from 4 000 to nearly 30 000.
The progress was highlighted by the Chairman of the Community Sports Committee of the Sports Commission, Mr Chau How-chen, as he spoke at the 2nd Annual Prize Presentation Ceremony of the Community Sports Club Project Inter-club Competitions at Shek Kei Mei Park today (May 13).
Also officiating at the prize presentation ceremony was the Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure services), Mr Vincent Liu. Other guests included representatives of NSAs, District Sports Associations and Community Sports Clubs.
The LCSD has been assisting the NSAs in forming Community Sports Clubs in the 18 districts since 2001 in order to enhance the standard of play at the community level and to encourage people to engage in sports. It has also been providing funds for these non-profit making sports clubs to organise training courses and competitions for people of different age groups and skill levels.
In 2006/07, the department spent 7 million dollars on the development of Community Sports Clubs, enabling 38,000 people to take part in some 1,700 activities. It will increase its subvention to 8 million dollars in 2007/08 so that 1,800 activities will be available to 40,000 participants.
Forty-nine Community Sports Clubs received prizes from the Department today in recognition of their outstanding performance in inter-club competitions organised in 2006/07 by Community Sports Clubs with the assistance of 15 NSAs.
The sports of these 15 competitions were archery, badminton, baseball, canoeing, sport dance, gateball, handball, judo, rowing, rugby football, squash, Taekwondo, tennis, duathlon and diving.
As a membership drive for the Community Sports Clubs, a sports carnival was held at Shek Kip Mei Park before the prize presentation ceremony. Visitors enjoyed play-in activities in indoor rowing, sports dancing, sports climbing, tennis, duathlon, athletics, cricket, badminton, gateball, orienteering, baseballs, fencing, canoeing, squash, life-guard saving and handball. Many took the opportunity to enquire about joining Community Sports Clubs at their booths.
¡°In order to realise the goal of 'Sports for All', we need not just the allocation of more resources by the Government but also the co-operation of NSAs and the support of Community Sports Clubs. Today I saw for myself the sports sector's enthusiastic support of for the Community Sports Club Project, the club members' full commitment to their voluntary work towards promoting public participation in sports and creating a healthy, harmonious society," Mr Chau said.
At present, 28 NSAs participate in the Community Sports Clubs Project.
Twelve NSAs which had reached or exceeded their stated targets in terms of numbers of Community Sports Clubs formed in 2006/07 received special awards for their efforts today. Their sports covered archery, baseball, sport dance, fencing, handball, cricket, judo, life guard saving, Taekwondo, tennis, duathlon and diving.
Tai Chi, an increasingly popular sport, featured prominently at the carnival before the prize presentation ceremony. A series of demonstration and exchange sessions were conducted by 28 community Tai Chi clubs and prizes were given for best formation, best choreography and best outfits.
Ends/Sunday, May 13, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:13
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