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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
men and women, took part in the race and thousands of spectators lined the route in the urban areas.
There are two men's softball leagues and one ladies league: apart from league fixtures games are played against teams from visiting U.S. Naval ships. Weight lifting enthusiasts, though rela- tively few in number, are beginning to produce impressive results in the lighter categories. Table tennis is popular and there are many local players of high calibre.
Lawn bowls has been played in Hong Kong for over fifty years and several clubs compete in league matches during the summer. A new competition, the 'Champion of Champions', was played for the first time and should help to raise the already high local standards even further.
Club and Services sides engaged in hockey tournaments and also exchanged visits with the Macau Club.
In the course of a remarkably good season for cricket, Hong Kong welcomed teams from Malaya and Bangkok and the last wicket stand which enabled Malaya to win their match against Hong Kong will long be remembered.
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The Second Festival of Sport took place in February and March. There were two indoor festivals, one in the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre in Kowloon and the other in the War Memorial Centre on the Island, while an outdoor festival was held in the Hong Kong Stadium. The Amateur Sports Federation and Olym- pic Committee of Hong Kong presented a varied and interesting programme of archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, cycling, fencing, hockey, judo, miniball, softball, table tennis, volleyball, weight-lifting, gymnastics and a mass physical training demon- stration.
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND OTHER AMENITIES
The management of parks, playgrounds and other similar amenities is one of the responsibilities of the Urban Council, working through the Urban Services Department. These amenities include the fine beaches on the south side of the Island, as well as the walks and look-outs on the hills above the Harbour. Apart from developing these natural attractions. the Urban Council de- votes much attention to providing playgrounds and gardens and