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them can speak Cantonese. The period they have spent in the local sports community is short and their communication with local sports bodies is inadequate. So, how can local sports culture be found in this body?
The Board is not subject to any supervision because most of its members are appointed. They are not representing anyone and need not be accountable to members of the public of the sports community. Therefore it can be said that nobody, except those who appoint them, is able to monitor their operation.
As to its lack of recognition, Hong Kong's sovereignty will be transferred to China in 3 years and 4 months. Judging from the SDB members' relationship with the Chinese authorities, I cannot see any signs that they will be recognized or accepted by them. However, the ASF and OC and the two Municipal Councils are different. The ASF and OC regularly liaise with their counterparts in China and the Municipal Councils also have a lot of cultural and sports exchanges with Beijing.
Another fact is that although the SDB seems to be an independent body, it is in fact an advisory body to the Government, serving both as the right-hand man of Government and a shield for the Government. In fact, instead of taking pains to play so many little tricks, the Government could simply put in place legislation and get it through the Legislative Council in order to seize control over the sports activities in Hong Kong. The Government could take this make-or-break approach if it so chooses.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support Mr. PAO's motion.
MR. CHIANG SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The motion reads 'Resolved that this Council reaffirms and upholds the present demarcation of responsibilities with the Hong Kong Sports Development Board in order to provide better co-ordinated and diversified sports programmes in the best interest of the community at all levels'. Today I am glad to have the opportunity to speak. I am the Chairman of the Sports & Activities Sub-Committee. The Council's work has always been supported by the USD in the promotion and development of sports in Hong Kong. In the past decades, as far as our facilities are concerned, we have organized various kinds of activities at our recreational venues including ball games, competitions, water sports and also training courses both at the primary and intermediate levels. By doing so, members of the public know more about sports and can continue to develop their skills. We also have regular meetings to fund the different NSAs and also co-operate with them in organizing various sports activities which are extremely popular. Recently, we have co-operated with the Hong Kong Schools Sports Association in organizing the school sports promotion scheme by allowing schools to use our venues free of charge. Last year, we also organized international challenge day, master games, corporate games and international chess carnival. All these were extremely popular. In the future, the Urban Council will continue to work at the grassroot level to provide diversified programmes for citizens. Last year, we also put aside about $28 million to sponsor various district activities and co-organize with DSAS to organize many sports activities. The UC with the assistance of USD's District Recreation and Sports Offices, have organized these programmes successfully.
Mr. Chairman, the Urban Council will continue to promote the sports activities at grassroot level. The responsibility of the SDB should be clearly demarcated, otherwise duplication of work with UC will happen. We have two different organizations with different functions and responsibilities. If we do not have a clear demarcation, it will be a waste of resources and taxpayers' money. In fact, in our legislation, this has been very clearly stipulated. The former CS in writing to the Urban Council very clearly told us that the Urban Council is responsible for sports and recreational activities at the grassroot level.
Mr. Chairman, today I wish to make clear the ambit of the UC and the SDB. There should be a clear demarcation. In future, if the SDB duplicates our role, then definitely it will be a waste of resources and at the same time there will be an adverse impact on the two organizations. With these remarks, I support the motion.
MR. WONG SIU-YEE (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, a number of Councillors have already made their points strongly and adequately. They pointed to the overlapping and wastage of our public resources in the work of the Hong Kong SDB and the Urban Council. The SDB was established four years ago and now the Government is planning for the establishment of an Arts Development Council. Such policies are really confusing us. As a result, today we have to debate the demarcation of responsibilities between the two. In fact, I think, the SDB's function evolved from the functions of the Urban Council. I think unless the Urban Council is to shed its responsibilities in this area, otherwise there will always be an overlapping of work. Do we have to go back to history? Is the Government asking us to concentrate on health and hygiene only? Or should we just be having sports venues in our portfolio and we are just the landlord and responsible for rental collection? I think the Government is constantly eroding the functions of the Urban Council. If we don't look at the matter squarely, if we don't adopt vision and we are only interested in the short-term problems of demarcation of responsibilities, then I am afraid we are dodging the issue and people will think we are gullible. I am afraid that more will happen. So in fact I don't agree with the wording of the motion. I want to emphasize one point. Today's motion debate arises from the Government's neglect of our functions and our contributions. The Government has established a co-ordinating authority which has overlapping terms of reference with the Urban Council. The Urban Council was only consulted after the Government has decided to establish the SDB. The Urban Council was never consulted as to whether there was a need to establish another statutory body to take care of sports. I think the Government is hypocritical, authoritarian and not democratic. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the SDB and also the impending establishment of the Arts Development Council are sort of political gift by the Government. The Government is producing a body to take over the
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