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RECREATION AND THE ARTS
Centre's objective is to promote a better understanding of the environment through educa- tion and information. Weekly residential courses on ecology and geography are offered to senior secondary students and countryside educational courses are provided for the public.
In view of the overwhelming demand for outdoor pursuits, the Recreation and Sport Service is actively pursuing the planning and development of further outdoor recreation and holiday centres, such as the Tso Kung Tam Outdoor Recreation Centre in Tsuen Wan, the Tai Mei Tuk Water Sports Centre in Tai Po, and the Tsak Yue Wu Holiday Centre in Sai Kung.
During the year, the service also assisted in the establishment of the first stage of Po Leung Kuk's Pak Tam Chung holiday camp. This camp and the Hong Kong Buddhist Association's Tung Chung camp, which opened in August, 1979, are valuable additions to the camping facilities in Hong Kong.
Summer Youth Programme
More than two million people participated in the 11th Summer Youth Programme which was administered and co-ordinated by the Central Co-ordinating Committee for Youth Recreation. Various government and non-government bodies, assisted by a legion of volunteers, organised more than 8,000 events, both indoors and outdoors, at a cost of $7.3 million.
The 1979 programme was varied and challenging and provided something for everyone. The participants were able to take part in a variety of healthy recreational activities, with the outdoor events proving the most popular. Events included training and recreational camps, community service projects, life-saving courses and various group functions.
Funds for the programme came from a number of sources. They included a donation of $2 million from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, government subventions, Urban Council funds, private donations and participants' fees.
The Central Co-ordinating Committee for Youth Recreation also co-ordinated a suc- cessful recreational and entertainment programme during Chinese New Year.
International Sport
When participating in international competitions, the major problem facing Hong Kong's governing sports bodies has been a lack of facilities and expertise for high-level training and coaching.
To help remedy the situation, the Jubilee Sports Centre is to be built at Sha Tin, on land reclaimed by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club (RHKJC). It is a joint project between the government and the RHKJC. During the year, an open competition was con- ducted to select the best architectural design; the winner was appointed as the architect for stage one of the centre.
The main purpose of the centre will be to provide training and coaching facilities. To this end, the chief coach and five coaches for the sports of table tennis, football, squash, fencing and badminton have been appointed. Training programmes are already being run by the centre in borrowed accommodation and public facilities.
In addition to the Jubilee Sports Centre, two indoor stadia of international standard - the Hung Hom Stadium and the Queen Elizabeth Stadium - are being built to provide facil- ities for more sporting competitions. On completion, both will be handed over to the Urban Council for management.
During 1979, Hong Kong participated in a large number of sporting events overseas. The most notable achievement was undoubtedly the winning of 13 gold medals at the