XN000022-1975-06-14 — Page 2

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SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 1975.

ASIAN CUP QUALIFYING ROUND IN HONG KONG KICKS OFF

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THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY OFFICIALLY OPENED THE ASIAN CUP GROUP 3 QUALIFYING ROUND FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT AT THE GOVERNMENT STADIUM,

HONG KONG WAS DELIGHTED TO HOST THE GROUP 3 QUALIFYING ROUND, HE SAID, AND FOOTBALL FANS HERE COULD LOOK FORWARD TO A LOT OF KEEN, EXCITING AND SPORTSMANLIKE COMPETITION.

AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, SIR MURRAY WATCHED THE OPENING GAME BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN..

FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS:

+1 AM PLEASED TO OPEN THIS TOURNAMENT.

+FOOTBALL IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR SPORTS IN HONG KONG AND WE BELIEVE OUR TEAM TO BE ONE OF THE BEST.

+SO I AM DELIGHTED THAT HONG KONG IS HOST TO THE ASIAN CUP GROUP 3 QUALIFYING ROUND TOURNAMENT AND CONGRATULATE THE HONG KONG FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION ON THEIR ORGANISATION OF IT. I WELCOME THE VISITING TEAMS AND HOPE THEY WILL ENJOY THEIR STAY HERE.

+AND NOW WE ALL LOOK FORWARD TO KEEN, EXCITING FOOTBALL IN A SPIRIT OF GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP.

+I HAVE GREAT PLEASURE IN DECLARING OPEN THE ASIAN CUP. GROUP 3 QUALIFYING ROUND TOURNAMENT. +

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