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Some 300 athletes from five places in Asia will vie for the championships in the "2008 Sports Meet of Guangdong/Hong Kong/Macau Correctional Officers" in Hong Kong starting tomorrow (March 3).
This year's three-day sports meet is hosted by the Correctional Services Department (CSD). Aiming at fostering friendship, work experience sharing and work-related cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, Hong Kong CSD initiated the first sports meet in 2001 and the three regions agreed to host the event by rotation. This is the second time that Hong Kong will be the host of the event.
Speaking before a crowd of 5 000 at the opening ceremony of the Sports Meet today (March 2) at Shing Mun Valley Sports Ground in Tsuen Wan, President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr Timothy Fok said he shared the joyous and enthusiastic atmosphere of the Sports Meet that gave him the feeling that Beijing 2008 Olympic Games had started.
Mr Fok said, "I am glad to see people from all walks of life today actively taking part in and supporting the 2008 Sports Meet of Guangdong/Hong Kong/Macau Correctional Officer. Performances in this opening ceremony show that people with disabilities and able-bodied people are joining hands to build up a harmonious society in Hong Kong."
Performers in the opening ceremony comprised correctional officers, students, voluntary workers, singers, uniformed groups, young inmates, rehabilitated offenders as well as the physically and mentally disabled.
The Sports Meet registered the greatest number of participating athletes this year. One hundred and eight Hong Kong officers are competing in all the seven events this year - basketball, football, badminton, shooting, track and the newly added bowling and tennis. The Guangdong correctional authority has also sent 105 athletes while Macau has sent 57.
Singapore and South Korea have also joined this year's Sports Meet as guest teams by sending 31 and 16 correctional officers to compete in the events. The department signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Singaporean correctional bureau in 2003 and with Korea's in 2005 to enhance the exchange and co-operation among staff.
The theme of this year's Sports Meet is healthy lifestyle. To recognise the upcoming Beijing Olympics, the department has invited sportsmen who were awarded in the Olympics, the Paralympic and the Special Olympic Games, including 17 Special Olympics gold-medal winners and Hong Kong's equestrian representative in the upcoming Paralympics, Mr Nelson Yip to be sports ambassadors.
The CSD has been actively promoting healthy lifestyle among its staff with the belief that staff's good health is a crucial asset for the department. Apart from organising sports activities through its Sports Association, the department also encourages its staff to take part in international games to widen their horizons.
A delegation of 43 correctional officers participated in the World Police & Fire Games held in Australia last year and brought home six gold, eight silver and four bronze medals.
A thousand copies of the event booklet featuring the sports association and the sports meet for distributing to staff and designated organisations. Two-third of the funds raised from the booklet's sponsorship - amounting to $200,000 - will be donated to the Special Olympics and the Federation of Handicapped Youth for community services.
Ends/Sunday, March 2, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:06
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