SUNDAY, MAY 22, 1977
EVERY POSSIBLE ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE TO PROVIDE AS WIDE A VARIETY OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMES AS POSSIBLE. COMPETITIONS AND COACHING CLINICS IN THE POPULAR GAMES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED IN ALL DISTRICTS. THE LESS POPULAR SPORTS SUCH AS DIVING WATER POLO AND ROLLER SKATING HAVE ATTRACTED PARTICIPANTS EAGER TO LEARN A NEW SKILL.
MANY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE ENJOYED OUTINGS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE AND ANOTHER POPULAR AND SUCCESSFUL ACTIVITY HAS BEEN THE FAMILY CAMP.
MORE RECENTLY THE 9.7 HECTARES SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, EQUIPPED WITH THE TRAPPINGS OF MODERN CONVENIENCES AND GAMES FACILITIES FOR BOTH THE ABLE AND DISABLED, WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY PRINCESS ALEXANDRA DURING HER VISIT HERE IN FEBRUARY.
TO FURTHER ATTEST TO ITS ACHIEVEMENTS IN SUCH A SHORT TIME THE SERVICE HAS TRAINED 3,000 VOLUNTEERS AS COACHES, REFEREES AND LEADERS TO ASSIST IN RUNNING VARIOUS PROGRAMMES. THESE TRAINED VOLUNTEERS ARE EMPLOYED ON AN HOURLY PAID BASIS BY THE SERVICE AND THE MANPOWER IS THUS AVAILABLE TO RUN A WIDE DISTRICT BASED PROGRAMME.
THESE PROGRAMMES COVER, IN ORDER OF POPULARITY, THE FOLLOWING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES: CAMPING AND EXPEDITIONS, TAI CHI CLASSES, EXCURSIONS AND HIKING, ATHELETICS, FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, SWIMMING, GAMES DAYS, MARTIAL ARTS, TABLE TENNIS, VOLLEYBALL, FITNESS PROGRAMMES, DANCES, HARBOUR CRUISES FOR THE AGED, WALKATHONS, BADMINTON, GYMNASTICS, TENNIS, ROLLER SKATING, DIVING COURSE, WATER POLO, CANOEING, AND HANDBALL.
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MOST OF THOSE TAKING PART IN THESE ACTIVITIES ARE BETWEEN 16 AND 24 YEARS OF AGE. AGES CATERED FOR RANGE FROM 10 TO 66.
WHERE CAN THE SERVICE GO FROM HERE?
+EVERY ONE HAS A RIGHT TO ENJOY HIS LEISURE TIME AND TAKE PART, IF HE SO DESIRES, IN SPORTS AND RECREATION PROGRAMMES,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE SAID.
*JUST AS IN OTHER GAMES OR ACTIVITIES, PEOPLE HAVE TO BE TAUGHT THE SKILLS WHICH ALLOW THEM TO ENJOY LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES.
+FIRST YOU MUST LEARN TO SWIM OR LEARN TO PLAY TENNIS BEFORE YOU CAN TAKE PART WITH FULL ENJOYMENT IN THE ACTIVITY. SO THIS IS ONE AREA WHICH MUST BE EXPANDED TO MEET PUBLIC DEMAND.
+MORE AND MORE COACHING CLASSES IN SPORTS AND GAMES CONDUCTED BY QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED COACHES MUST BE ORGANISED AT DISTRICT LEVEL.
+GREATER PROVISION FOR RECREATION WILL DEFINITELY HAVE A FAR-REACHING EFFECT ON IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
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