XN000022-1981-10-17 — Page 2

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1981

DOOR WAYS WIDE OPEN

X X X

THE DOOP OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT WILL ALWAYS E WIDE OPEN TO ANY ENQUIRIES OR ASSISTANCE FROM GOVERNING SPORTS BODIES AND MEMPERS OF THE PUBL C.

THIS WAS SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE COMMISSIONER,

MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, IN AN ADDRESS BY A PROMOTION OF SPORTS SEMINAR AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.

MR WIGGHAM POINTED OUT THAT THE APPROVAL TO UPGRADE THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DIVISION OF THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH INTO A FULL-FLEDGED DEPARTMENT REFLECTED GOVERNMENT'S POLICY OF ACTIVE SUPPORT FOR SPORTS AND RECREATION.

+THIS DECISION HAS A PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE FOR ALL PRESENT AS IT IS VERY CLEAR WHICH GOVERNMENT DOOR AN ENQUIRER INTO SOME RECREATION AND SPORTING MATTER SHOULD COME TO, HE SAID.

+ IT WILL ALWAYS BE OPEN WIDE TO ANY OF YOU, AND IF WE DO NOT HAVE THE ANSWER IMMEDIATELY TO A QUESTION THEN WE SHALL ENDEAVOUR TO CONTACT THOSE WHO CAN HELP, HE ADDED.

THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE COUNCIL FOR SPORT AND RECREATION, WAS ATTENDED BY SOME 100 PEOPLE, MANY OF THEM REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE 49 GOVERNING SPORTS BODIES OF HONG KONG.

MR WIGGHAM SAID THE NUMBER OF SPORTS BODIES IN HONG KONG WAS GROWING AND THEY THEMSELVES WOULD BE SETTING THE TREND FOR THE FUTURE.

+ IT IS NOT UP TO GOVERNMENT TO DECIDE WHICH DIRECTION THEY TAKE GOVERNMENT HAS NO WISH TO CONTROL OR INTERFERE IN THE LOCAL SPORTS SCENE, HE EMPHASISED.

+ IT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S TASK TO ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORT (PARTICULARLY PERHAPS WITH YOUR ADMINISTRATION PROBLEMS) AND TO PROVIDE BACK-UP IN TERMS OF FACILITIES AND, AS FAR AS IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO SO, THE REQUISITE FINANCE, HE SAID.

HE EXPLAINED THAT HE NEW DEPARTMENT CONSISTED OF TWO PARTS: CULTURE WHICH INCLUDES THE MUSIC OFFICE AND A NEW PERFORMING ARTS DIVISION AND THE RECREATION AND SPORT DIVISION.

THE PRESENT RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE WILL CONTINUE TO PERFORM ITS DUTIES BUT THE OVERALL STRATEGIC RECREATIONAL PLANNING WILL BE DEALT WITH BY A NEW SECTION, BASICALLY ADMINISTRATIVE, DEALING WITH THE VARIOUS LAND, FINANCIAL AND STAFFING ASPECTS OF RECREATION AND SPORTS PROJECTS.

WITH DRAMATIC INCREASES IN DEMAND AND EXPECTATIONS, MR WIGGHAM SAID, THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT WILL HAVE A LARGER ROLE TO PLAY DURING THE DECADE.

THERE

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