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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(4) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-

In view of the very great interest in swimming in Hong Kong, and in view also of the fact that there are many beaches and other facilities for swimming in Hong Kong that are comparatively better than in many other international cities, would it be possible for the Urban Council to request Government to obtain the services of a first-class swimming coach of international standard to train young swimmers in Hong Kong for participation in regional and international swimming competitions?

MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-

I am obliged to Mr. CHEONG-LEEN for his timely question con-

cerning the appointment of a swimming coach.

I feel that I should refer in my answer to comments I made three months ago in replying to Mr. BERNACCHI's question on the provision of trained recreation leaders.

I told Council then that a proposal had been made more than 4 years ago in the Urban Amenities Select Committee for the appointment of an officer qualified to organize play activities in all areas of public recreation to ensure the fullest possible use of our recreation facilities. Up to the present time, as far as I know, the Government has not accepted this proposal and other such staff suggestions.

I trust that the Government will give this Council all necessary support for the proper management of the new swimming complexes which are expected to be completed next year. Later this month, I am told, an officer of the Urban Services Department will be leaving for Germany to study swimming pool management at first hand. The aim of good management in the case of swimming pools, I suggest, must include the responsibility to offer the public an opportunity of learning to swim under proper guidance, thus increasing their enjoyment by the greatest number of people.

The answer to this problem might be found in some expansion in the efforts of the Education Department in this field, but they too must be given the means to do so. At present, I understand at their own expense, the Hong Kong Schools Sports Association and the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association are holding classes to train youngsters in competitive swimming. The latter

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Association is also, for the second year, holding a series

of age-group swimming championships in order to ensure as wide a participation as possible.

Public interest in swimming is growing fast. It is clear that a training effort maintained at the present level by private bodies without Government assistance will not meet the demand which our new complexes are sure to generate. Much more must be done and very quickly too. While it may be wise to await the recommendations of the officer who is about to visit Germany, nevertheless steps must also be taken without loss of time to support the efforts made by private organizations. For this reason, the meet- ings I convened of groups interested in youth activities also discussed co-ordinated use of our pools next year. Moreover, the Education Department, I believe, would be prepared to put to good use the new training pools. It is possible that the Government could be encouraged to help responsible organizations broaden their work through specific subventions for training purposes. The solution may well lie in this Council itself engaging professional coaches or even sharing their services with such organiza- tions.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, would it be possible for the Urban Council to make an approach to Government to obtain the services of a top-grade professional swimming coach so as to make available to interested swimming groups in Hong Kong, through the co-ordination of this Council, the services of such a top-grade swimming instructor?

MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, that was the essence of my reply.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Well, shall I put it this way then? Has that been considered by Mr. SALES' committee previously?

MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, the committee in suggesting the appointment of a Principal Recreation Officer some considerable time ago, 4 years ago, considered that that was in essence the first appoint- ment; then we would have, as I mentioned in my reply to Mr. BERNACCHI, play leaders and it was also contemplated that we would have experts to help put to proper use the sports facilities that Hong Kong has and will have even more in the years to come.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, my question was only con- cerning swimming and I think in terms of priority it seems to me that many people do feel that swimming should be given a high priority in terms of giving opportunities to our local swimmers to show their best in regional or international competitions. It was specifically in relation

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