XN000022-1980-04-02 — Page 4

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 1980

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RSS BRINGING IN FIVE-A-SIDE FOOTBALL

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THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE IS EMBARKING ON A PILOT SCHEME TO INTRODUCE FIVE-A-SIDE FOOTBALL TO HONG KONG.

THE MAJOR EVENT OF THE SCHEME WILL BE A FIVE-A-SIDE FOOTBALL COMPETITION WHICH WILL BE HELD ON MAY 3 AND 4 (SATURDAY AND SUNDAY) AT THE MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND IN MONG KOK.

FIVE-A-SIDE FOOTBALL, AS A COMPETITIVE EVENT, IS EVOLVED FROM SMALL-SIDE TRAINING EXERCISES PRACTISED BY MOST PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE CLUBS IN BRITAIN. IT IS A FAST, NON-STOP GAME WHICH DEMANDS MOBILITY, SPEED AND BALL MANOEUVRING SKILLS FROM PLAYERS.

+THE GAME IS CONSIDERED A SUITABLE SPORT TO BE PROMOTED IN HONG KONG BECAUSE IT ONLY REQUIRES A RELATIVELY SMALL SPACE TO PLAY AND THE PLAYERS IN HONG KONG ARE GENERALLY GOOD AT BOTH SPEED AND BALL MANOEUVRING SKILLS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE SAID.

+IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE NEW GAME WILL BE ACCEPTED AND BECOME A POPULAR SPORT IN HONG KONG, BOTH INDOORS AND OUTDOORS,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

THE FIVE-A-SIDE FOOTBALL COMPETITION IN MAY WILL BE

ON A KNOCK-OUT BASIS.

WILL BE LIMITED TO 64.

THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPATING TEAMS

EACH MATCH WILL LAST 12 MINUTES WITH A TWO-MINUTE BREAK AT HALF-TIME. IF A MATCH RESULTS IN A DRAW AFTER FULL TIME, THE WINNING TEAM WILL BE DECIDED BY TAKING PENALTY KICKS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES.

THE CHAMPION AND THE FIRST RUNNER-UP TEAMS WILL BE AWARDED A SILVER CUP AND A MEDAL RESPECTIVELY. PLAYERS OF ALL THE PARTICIPATING TEAMS WILL BE AWARDED A COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL.

ENTRY FORMS FOR THE COMPETITION ARE NOW OBTAINABLE AT THE RSS HEADQUARTERS AT 111 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, 11TH FLOOR, AND ITS 17 DISTRICT OFFICES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES. COMPLETED FORMS MUST REACH THE RSS HEADQUARTERS ON OR BEFORE APRIL 18. NO FEE IS CHARGED FOR ENTERING THE COMPETITION.

TO FAMILIARISE THE PLAYERS WITH THE GAME, THE RSS HAS PRODUCED A LEAFLET INTRODUCING THE GAME AND ITS RULES. COPIES OF THE LEAFLET CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE RSS HEADQUARTERS. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE RSS ON TELEPHONE 5-458511.

TO ALLOW PARTICIPATING TEAMS TO FURTHER UNDERSTAND THE RULES AND METHOD OF PLAYING THE FIVE-A-SIDE FOOTBALL, AN INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD ON MAY 2 (FRIDAY) IN WHICH FOUR DIVISION FOOTBALL TEAMS WILL BE INVITED TO TAKE PART. ALL TEAMS TAKING PART IN THE COMPETITION WILL BE INVITED TO WATCH THE TOURNAMENT.

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