SPORT AND RECREATION
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continued and Colony representatives reached the quarter-finals at the Asian Badminton Confederation's Asian Gold Cup tournament in Kuala Lumpur. Many new players are coming into the sport and Hong Kong's prospects appear good, especially in the women's section. The Hong Kong open championships are now recognized by the International Badminton Federation.
At the Hong Kong Bisley annual rifle meeting, Lance Corporal Peter Rull of the Hong Kong Regiment won the Governor's Shield for the best rifle shot for the third year in succession.
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND OTHER AMENITIES
The management of parks and other public amenities in the urban areas is one of the responsibilities of the Urban Council, working through the Urban Services Department. These amenities include 11 beaches on Hong Kong Island and one at Lai Chi Kok on the mainland, as well as parks, rest gardens, children's play- grounds and vantage points. Apart from developing these natural attractions, the Urban Council devotes much attention to creating additional playgrounds and gardens and to improving city ameni- ties in_general.
The bathing beaches were increasingly popular during the summer months. For the safety of the public, 80 full-time beach attendants (formerly known as life guards) were on duty from April to October at the 12 public beaches in the urban areas. Department staff also cleaned the beaches, maintained latrines and first aid posts, and supervised facilities provided on a contractual basis such as changing tents and refreshment stalls. At certain beaches a limited number of new sites for bathing huts were leased to private individuals for five years, while existing huts were let by ballot for a period of one year. A beach building consisting of an office, first aid post, storeroom and refreshment kiosk, together with separate latrines, is under construction at Deep Water Bay beach. The department also has 50 fully-trained attendants at 17 beaches in the New Territories, and at seven of these con- tractors provided tents, changing rooms and other facilities. A ballot again took place for the right to use 53 beach huts on a yearly basis.
The shortage of land in the Colony's built-up areas means that the development of parks and playgrounds can only take place in
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