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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1978
IMPORTANCE OF SPORTS IN REHABILITATION PROCESS STRESSED
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THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE OF SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE REHABILITATION OF DISABLED PEOPLE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A SPORTS DAY. FOR THE DISABLED HELD TODAY AT THE MONG KOK STADIUM MR. LEE SAID: +APART FROM BEING A GOOD MEANS OF HEALTH IMPROVEMENT, PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS EVENTS CAN HELP SHARPEN ONE'S INITIATIVE AND DEVELOP THE SENSE OF DISCIPLINE.+
MR. LEE ADDED THAT BECAUSE OF THIS CHARACTER BUILDING ELEMENT SPORTS ACTIVITIES, LIKE OTHER FORMS OF TRAINING AND SERVICES, WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE RAPID REHABILITATION OF THE DISABLED.
MR. LEE ALSO ADVISED COMPETITORS NOT TO ATTACH TOO MUCH IMPORTANCE TO TROPHIES AND MEDALS SO FAR AS THEY HAD TRIED THEIR BEST.
A TOTAL OF 400 PARTICIPANTS FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S 15 REHABILITATION CENTRES, COMPRISING THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, THE DEAF, THE MENTALLY RETARDED AND EX-MENTAL PATIENTS COMPETED IN 51 INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM EVENTS WATCHED BY A CHEERING CROWD OF 1,000 FELLOW-INMATES.
IN ADDITION TO BEAN-BAG RELAYS, RELAYS ON WHEELCHAIRS, SHORT- DISTANCE RUNS, SHOT PUT, JUMPS AND TOSS, TWO OPEN EVENTS FOR FORMER TRAINEES AND A TUG-OF-WAR FOR STAFF MEMBERS WERE ALSO ORGANISED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN AT THE SPORTS DAY FOR THE DISABLED WILL BE DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY IN G.I.S. PRESS BOXES THIS EVENING.
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