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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
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designing multi-purpose arenas of new indoor games halls in such a way that half-court booking is permissible, even though such an arrangement is not possible for existing ones?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): Thanks for Mr. Wu's proposal. In fact, I agree that half-court basketball games are more popular because it is easier to form the teams. However, such a situation is normally found in outdoor basketball courts. As to whether this is applicable to indoor ones, I consider that the issue should be referred to the Department for consideration. I can assure Mr. Wu that I would ensure that the Department follows up this issue and, depending on the degree of popularity, consider adopting the half-court arrangement for both outdoor and indoor basketball courts after identifying, through surveys, the number of hirers having half-court games.
MR. SAN STEPHEN WONG HON-CHING (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I have a follow-up question. A lot of the Council's football pitches are lent or leased for New Year's Eve fairs, district activities, celebrations, carnivals and similar activities. Complaints are often received that after these activities, a lot of screws, glass fragments and other objects are left behind without being thoroughly removed. Those who play football there the next day are often hurt by these small nails, glass fragments etc. I wish to ask the Chairman of the Select Committee whether careful checking is made or whether there is any mechanism, or any way or equipment to facilitate removal of these small glass fragments or nails after the activities, so that users will not be hurt while playing football or having any activity there. Would Mr. Ronnie Wong please answer my question?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): I believe that after the activities, the Department does clean the venues as best as possible. As to individual cases or incidents of nails or loose screws, I consider that each one should be followed up on its own merits. However, as far as I know, the Department certainly has done its best in tidying up the venues as quickly as possible to ensure orderly and clean venues for potential users.
MR. ALBERT LAI WING-LIN (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman. Mr. Wu just asked whether it was possible to lease the basketball courts on a half-court basis. May I ask the Chairman of the Select Committee whether this will be referred to the Select Committee for discussion? As safety is the primary consideration, shouldn't it be discussed at the Select Committee before a decision is made?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): As I just replied, I would refer the issue to the Recreation Select Committee for consideration and discussion.
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