RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
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Taking part in multi-sports games under the name of Hong Kong, China, for the first time, the Hong Kong delegation achieved unprecedented success in the 13th Asian Games held in Bangkok. The delegation won five gold, six silver and six bronze medals (in windsurfing, tenpin bowling, snooker, wushu, cycling, table tennis, squash, rowing, swimming and yachting. Hong Kong was ranked 13th among the total of 43 participating countries in the 13th Asian Games.
Athletes brought back five gold, three silver and three bronze medals from the 1998 World Wheelchair Fencing Championships. At the 1998 Disability World Athletics Championships, the athletes won three gold medals and broke the world records in the 100 and 200 metre events and the 4 × 100m relay. At the First World Junior Championship, held in Moscow, Hong Kong won a silver medal in the women's 100 metre backstroke event. At the Grand Prix World Snooker Tournament, a Hong Kong athlete won a silver medal.
Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China
The Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong was founded in 1949–50 and recognised as a National Olympic Committee in 1951. (The ASF & OC was re-named the Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, with effect from July 1, 1997). It has been responsible for organising Hong Kong's participation in all major events such as the Olympics, Asian, East Asian, East Pacific and National Games. It is a member of the Olympic Council of Asia and the Association of National Olympic Committees. With a membership of 72 national sports associations, it is the acknowledged voice of sport in Hong Kong.
Members of the ASF & OC are NSAs which are in turn affiliated to their international federations. They have the responsibility to develop and promote their specific sport and are managed by elected officers under either the limited company or registered society ordinances. They are empowered to co-ordinate and conduct a large range of activities related to their sport, such as organising sport and recreation programmes for beginners to elite athletes, organising and sanctioning participation in local and overseas competitions and tournaments, the training of coaches and referees, implementing and enforcing local and international rules and regulations, and representing Hong Kong in meetings of the International Federation concerned. Office-bearers are elected biennially. They include the President, eight Vice- Presidents, the Honorary Secretary, three Honorary Deputy Secretaries, the Honorary Treasurer, and the Assistant Honorary Treasurer.
The elected officers of the ASF & OC and the NSAs are volunteers with high standing and expertise in the sport arena. They are the cornerstone in safeguarding the autonomy of the national sports associations and assuring the quality of the delivery of sport and recreation in Hong Kong.
In conjunction with the municipal councils, the federation co-ordinates the comprehensive Annual Festival of Sport held since 1958. It also organises extensive education programmes for sports leaders, administrators, coaches and technical officials without charge. Since the early 1970s, many sports leaders and athletes have been sponsored to attend and participate in local and overseas conferences and seminars, such as the annual International Olympic Academy at Olympia.
In conjunction with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Olympic Solidarity courses and programmes are organised through various NSAs attended by