485
182
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Leisure Policy Division. The former is responsible for managing the recreational facilities, planning, as well as co-organising and subsidizing recreational programmes and sports activities, etc. while the latter is responsible for recreational development and policy. Therefore, we found that the Recreation Select Committee has a lot of papers on subjects like assignment of land for parks, approval of layout plan or schedule of accommodation, or progress reports on construction projects of recreational facilities, etc. Our Sports and Activities Sub-Committee could approve the granting of subsidies to several sports programmes within a few minutes, as the details of these programmes are worked out by the Department behind the scenes and then tabled for our endorsement. The problem is, the two Municipal Councils spend nearly $1 billion on planning and subsidizing these sports activities every year, and we also own and manage most recreational facilities, including 100 recreational and sports facilities, 1350 parks, playgrounds and gardens of various sizes, and 42 public swimming pools. However, we prefer to call ourselves the 'Recreation Select Committee' or the 'Leisure Services Branch' of the Department instead of the 'Recreation and Sports Select Committee' or the 'Recreation and Sports Branch'. Neither do we give deep thought to our responsibility concerning sports development in Hong Kong. As a result, we are subject to continuous criticisms and misunderstandings.
In fact, the problem lies in the fact that we put too much emphasis on developing grassroot recreation and sports-for-all activities while neglecting long term training and the development of sports from grassroots to elite level. As an organisation that owns most sports facilities, we could not shirk our responsibility for the slow development or even retrogression of certain sports. Nevertheless, there should be a start for everything, and if we are willing to face the problem, we will surely be able to re-establish our direction and mend our pace.
I cannot present in a few words a detailed or specific analysis on the problems I saw in the past year. But if Members carry the motion I move today, we could make detailed analysis including analysis on the sports scene in Hong Kong and formulate policies on the following areas, such as the co-ordination of sports-for-all activities which the Council has always been emphasizing, as well as elite training, the use of and management of sports facilities, effective allocation of manpower and resources, measures to promote public awareness and respect for sports. These are areas which should be studied and analysed in depth for formulation of the Five-Year Plan for recreation and sports.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I beg to move.
MISS ADA WONG YING-KAY (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I am glad to second Mr. CHAN's motion today. I remember in July 1995, I moved a motion that every Select Committee of UC should formulate a Five Year Plan, which
485
485
182
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Leisure Policy Division. The former is responsible for managing the recreational facilities, planning, as well as co-organising and subsidizing recreational programmes and sports activities, etc. while the latter is responsible for recreational development and policy. Therefore, we found that the Recreation Select Committee has a lot of papers on subjects like assignment of land for parks, approval of layout plan or schedule of accommodation, or progress reports on construction projects of recreational facilities, etc. Our Sports and Activities Sub-Committee could approve the granting of subsidies to several sports programmes within a few minutes, as the details of these programmes are worked out by the Department behind the scenes and then tabled for our endorsement. The problem is, the two Municipal Councils spend nearly $1 billion on planning and subsidizing these sports activities every year, and we also own and manage most recreational facilities, including 100 recreational and sports facilities, 1350 parks, playgrounds and gardens of various sizes, and 42 public swimming pools. However, we prefer to call ourselves the 'Recreation Select Committee' or the 'Leisure Services Branch' of the Department instead of the 'Recreation and Sports Select Committee' or the 'Recreation and Sports Branch'. Neither do we give deep thought to our responsibility concerning sports development in Hong Kong. As a result, we are subject to continuous criticisms and misunderstandings.
In fact, the problem lies in the fact that we put too much emphasis on developing grassroot recreation and sports-for-all activities while neglecting long term training and the development of sports from grassroots to elite level. As an organisation that owns most sports facilities, we could not shirk our responsibility for the slow development or even retrogression of certain sports. Nevertheless, there should be a start for everything, and if we are willing to face the problem, we will surely be able to re-establish our direction and mend our pace.
I cannot present in a few words a detailed or specific analysis on the problems I saw in the past year. But if Members carry the motion I move today, we could make detailed analysis including analysis on the sports scene in Hong Kong and formulate policies on the following areas, such as the co-ordination of sports-for-all activities which the Council has always been emphasizing, as well as elite training, the use of and management of sports facilities, effective allocation of manpower and resources, measures to promote public awareness and respect for sports. These are areas which should be studied and analysed in depth for formulation of the Five-Year Plan for recreation and sports.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I beg to move.
MISS ADA WONG YING-KAY (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I am glad to second Mr. CHAN's motion today. I remember in July 1995, I moved a motion that every Select Committee of UC should formulate a Five Year Plan, which
£485
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