XN000022-1974-09-04 — Page 2

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1974.

SPECIAL RECREATION AND SPORTS UNIT FORMED

TO PROMOTE SPORTING ACTIVITIES DISTRICT LEVEL

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ANOTHER MAJOR STEP HAS BEEN TAKEN IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF RECREATION AND SPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SPECIAL RECREATION AND SPORTS UNIT.

IN ANNOUNCING THE SCHEME TODAY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, MR. DENIS BRAY, SAID THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THE NEW UNIT WOULD BE TO SET UP AND ADMINISTER AN ORGANISATION OF RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICERS AT DISTRICT LEVEL.

+ THE FUNCTIONS OF EACH DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER WILL BE TO ASSIST THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE MAXIMUM USE OF ALL SPORTS FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE,+ HE SAID.

+ONE OF THE MAIN AIMS OF THE NEW SCHEME+, MR. BRAY ADDED. + IS TO PROVIDE SUITABLE OUTLETS FOR THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN AT WORK. FOR THESE PEOPLE NOW FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO JOIN IN ANY ORGANISED RECREATIONAL OR SPORTING ACTIVITY.+

THE DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICERS WILL SUPERVISE, LEAD AND ORGANISE SPORT AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, COURSES AND COMPETITIONS COVERING PHYSICAL RECREATION, AND ENCOURAGE GREATER PARTICIPATION IN LEAGUES AND COMPETITIONS AT DISTRICT LEVEL.

THEY WILL BE INVOLVED IN FORMING DISTRICT SPORTS COUNCILS, WHERE THESE DO NOT YET EXIST, IN STIMULATING ACTIVITY IN RECREATION AND SPORT BY VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS, AND WILL LIAISE WITH THE VARIOUS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS AND SPORTS CLUBS.

THE OFFICERS WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICERS AND DISTRICT OFFICERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICERS AND THE DISTRICT STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN JOINTLY PROMOTING ACTIVITIES

IN PHYSICAL RECREATION AND SPORTS FOR ALL AGE GROUPS.

THE SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF OFFICERS IN THE NEW SCHEME WILL BE TO CONCENTRATE ON RECREATION AND SPORT INVOLVING AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

MR. BRAY SAID THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ENTIRE SCHEME WOULD BE PHASED OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD. IN THE NORMAL COURSE, FUNDS FOR A NEW SCHEME SUCH AS THIS COULD NOT BE MADE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE NEW FINANCIAL YEAR BUT IN ORDER TO GET THE SCHEME OFF TO AN EARLY START INITIAL EXPENSES ARE TO BE COVERED FROM THE SPECIAL FUND FOR RECREATION.

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