HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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I think that the survey should collect participants' opinions on the format of activities, fees, standard of coaches, provision of facilities and the types of activities preferred, so as to establish an objective basis and database for the setting of the direction of recreation and sports development and also to serve as an important reference for adjusting our administrative measures.
Lastly, I think that the Leisure Policy Division of the USD should be more active. It should collect information about participants of various recreational and sport activities and people using recreational and sport facilities, for example age, sex, occupation and district of residence etc., and work out a profile systematically. It should also make forecasts and carry out surveys about the new trend of sports and recreational activities in various districts and in the territory so as to co-ordinate more effectively with colleagues of District Recreation and Sports Offices in providing services, and also to provide useful and systematic information to colleagues of District Recreational and Sports Offices as important guidelines for planning sports and recreational activities.
Mr. Chairman, these are my remarks.
MR. MOK YING-FAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, as our society becomes more and more open, the recreational and sports activities provided by the Council have increased in number and variety. According to the statistical report of UC and USD in 1994/95, 58 kinds of activities, including popular sports like badminton and swimming, and less popular ones like fishing, horse riding and baseball etc., were provided by the District Recreation and Sports Offices and District Recreation Centres. Members of public may choose to participate in the activities they like. However, as participants of the activities, do they have any channels to express their views? And how can they know whether their views have been accepted or not?
I believe that each participant of the recreational and sports activities has his own comment or judgement on the activity he has taken part. Has our Council really paid heed to these comments? I really doubt about it. Although the Department has conducted some surveys to collect participants' comments on the activities, such surveys are not conducted regularly. Besides, the reports are prepared only on the request of Councillors and the contents are fragmented.
Even if adjustments are made to the direction of activities, such adjustments are not able to catch up with the trend and the progress of time. Therefore, I urge that the Council should conduct recreational and sports activities surveys on a regular basis as a necessary measure to collect participants' views on the fees, format of activities, etc. Only by doing so can our activities catch up with the trend and cater for the needs of the public.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support Ms. Grace Au's motion.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-Thank you. Mr. Tim S. Manuel CHAN has indicated to speak on the motion.
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