1
LAN
5
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1981
A PRAYER CEREMONY WAS CONDUCTED BY THE REV CANON FRANK LIN OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, FR JOSEPH NIJSSEN OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE REV KOK KONG OF THE BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION.
THE CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY HELICOPTER AND PARACHUTING DISPLAYS BY THE ARMY AND A PIONEER ING+ DEMONSTRATION BY BOY SCOUTS.
N.T. INTER-DISTRICT BASKETBALL LEAGUE STARTS *****
A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IS PLANNED TO SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE GROWING POPULATION, SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW TERRITORIES BASKETBALL LEAGUE AT OSMAN RAMJU MEMORIAL STADIUM, KWAI CHUNG, HE SAID IT WAS ESSENTIAL TO HAVE ADEQUATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPORT AND RECREATION.
+BUT, BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON THE PRIMARY AIM OF PROVIDING HOUSING, SOME OF THESE FACILITIES ARE BEING BUILT SOMEWHAT LATER THAN WE WOULD WISH, HE SAID.
THIS YEAR, HOWEVER, THERE WOULD BE A PROGRAMME OF IMPROVEMENT TO EXISTING FACILITIES, A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN PLANNED EXPENDITURE ON NEW FACILITIES, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF TEMPORARY FACILITIES WHERE NECESSARY, HE SAID.
+THIS WILL ENSURE THAT THERE IS A SPREAD OF GAMES, PITCHES, SPORTSGROUNDS AND SWIMMING POOLS THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES.+
TEAMS FROM ALL EIGHT N.T. DISTRICTS WERE PRESENT AT TODAY'S OPENING CEREMONY, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A MATCH BETWEEN TSUEN WAN AND TUEN MUN.
THE FINALS WILL BE PLAYED IN LATE MAY.
IT IS HOPED THAT VOLLEY BALL, BADMINTON, TABLE-TENNIS AND TENNIS LEAGUES WILL COMMENCE THIS YEAR, MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
A SOCCER LEAGUE STARTED ON DECEMBER 14 AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MAY WHEN FINALS WILL BE PLAYED.
MR AKERS-JONES SAID THE NEW TERRITORIES INTER-DISTRICT SPORTS COMPETITION COORDINATING COMMITTEE, WHICH PROMOTED THESE LEAGUES, WOULD CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE SUPPORT OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS, DISTRICT OFFICE AND RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, DR JAMES HAYES THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW TERRITORIES INTER-DISTRICT SPORTS COMPETITION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE. MR DICKEN YUNG AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BASKETBALL LEAGUE COMMITTEE, MR CHOW HOW-CHUEN.
16