1998 — Page 496

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

PROVISIONAL Urban COUNCIL

639

first part is about the facilities of our venues. Mr. WONG suggested upgrading the standard of the venues and facilities. This is indeed what we must do. However, six years is yet a very short time. If Hong Kong is determined to bid for the Asian Games and to gain international recognition, we must put in resources and achieve our goal in six years' time. The Government must take the greatest resolve to formulate a detailed plan and carry out efficient management. At present, many facilities provided by the Council are not up to international standards in many aspects. Here is a simple example. Every time when we host the international 25-metre short-course swimming competition, we only have a makeshift pool. While this is unequivocally a miracle created by Hong Kong, it should not be a permanent solution. In the long term, we must provide venues suitable for holding international events. The second and the more important part is about promoting a sports culture among the public and the training of athletes. Only by education and public participation can this goal be achieved and only after a long period of training can we see the results. In the long term, we should educate the public to think highly of sports.

The UC has all along been promoting sports-for-all activities. We have various programmes, such as subsidizing sports associations directly. If the two MCs are dissolved, there will be a 'vacuum'. Moreover, if sports activities are only promoted by the Government without public support or participation, it will create a huge laughing stock (on the one hand, we hope to enhance our international reputation through sports, and on the other hand, we lack a MC with a long history and vested with real authority to promote sports activities. I think if the LegCo has decided to bid for the 2006 Asian Games and if the two MCs are to be dissolved, a lot of problems will emerge. Therefore, I now call on Legislative Councillors not to support the dissolution of the two MCs. I think the motion is very appropriate, and with these remarks, I support the motion.

Chairman (in Cantonese):—Mr. LEE Shui-sing.

MR. BENEDICT LEE Shui-sing (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I earnestly support the motion brought forward by Mr. Wong Man-chiu. As a cosmopolitan city, Hong Kong performs a lot better as compared to other Asian countries in every aspect. Many Asian countries and regions which have organized the Asian Games before do not measure up to Hong Kong in terms of background and specific conditions, and yet they are able to host the Games. Mr. WONG has just said that Hong Kong enjoys a marked advantage, namely the many high-quality sports facilities under the PUC's administration. Although these facilities might not have been specially designed and built for international events, they can serve such purpose after being upgraded. Therefore, Hong Kong enjoys an edge over many other Asian countries. If other Asian countries can host the Asian Games, why can't Hong Kong?

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PROVISIONAL Urban COUNCIL 639 first part is about the facilities of our venues. Mr. WONG suggested upgrading the standard of the venues and facilities. This is indeed what we must do. However, six years is yet a very short time. If Hong Kong is determined to bid for the Asian Games and to gain international recognition, we must put in resources and achieve our goal in six years' time. The Government must take the greatest resolve to formulate a detailed plan and carry out efficient management. At present, many facilities provided by the Council are not up to international standards in many aspects. Here is a simple example. Every time when we host the international 25-metre short-course swimming competition, we only have a makeshift pool. While this is unequivocally a miracle created by Hong Kong, it should not be a permanent solution. In the long term, we must provide venues suitable for holding international events. The second and the more important part is about promoting a sports culture among the public and the training of athletes. Only by education and public participation can this goal be achieved and only after a long period of training can we see the results. In the long term, we should educate the public to think highly of sports. The UC has all along been promoting sports-for-all activities. We have various programmes, such as subsidizing sports associations directly. If the two MCs are dissolved, there will be a 'vacuum'. Moreover, if sports activities are only promoted by the Government without public support or participation, it will create a huge laughing stock (on the one hand, we hope to enhance our international reputation through sports, and on the other hand, we lack a MC with a long history and vested with real authority to promote sports activities. I think if the LegCo has decided to bid for the 2006 Asian Games and if the two MCs are to be dissolved, a lot of problems will emerge. Therefore, I now call on Legislative Councillors not to support the dissolution of the two MCs. I think the motion is very appropriate, and with these remarks, I support the motion. Chairman (in Cantonese):—Mr. LEE Shui-sing. MR. BENEDICT LEE Shui-sing (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I earnestly support the motion brought forward by Mr. Wong Man-chiu. As a cosmopolitan city, Hong Kong performs a lot better as compared to other Asian countries in every aspect. Many Asian countries and regions which have organized the Asian Games before do not measure up to Hong Kong in terms of background and specific conditions, and yet they are able to host the Games. Mr. WONG has just said that Hong Kong enjoys a marked advantage, namely the many high-quality sports facilities under the PUC's administration. Although these facilities might not have been specially designed and built for international events, they can serve such purpose after being upgraded. Therefore, Hong Kong enjoys an edge over many other Asian countries. If other Asian countries can host the Asian Games, why can't Hong Kong? Page 496 of 606 Page 496 of 606 Page 496 of 606

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PROVISIONAL Urban COUNCIL 639 first part is about the facilities of our venues. Mr. WONG suggested upgrading the standard of the venues and facilities. This is indeed what we must do. However, six years is yet a very short time. If Hong Kong is determined to bid Ifor the Asian Games and to gain international recognition, we must put in resources and achieve our goal in six years' time. The Government must lake the greatest resolve to formulate a detailed plan and carry out efficient management. At present, many facilities provided by the Council are not up to international standards in many aspects. Here is a simple example. Every time when we host the international 25-metre short-course swimming competition, we only have a makeshift pool. While this is unequivocally a miracle created by Hong Kong, it should not be a permanent solution. In the long term, we must provide venues suitable for holding international events. The second and the more important part is about promoting a sports culture among the public and the training of athletes. Only by education and public participation can this goal be achieved and only after a long period of training can we see the results. In the long term, we should educate the public to think highly of sports. The UC has all along been promoting sports-for-all activities. We have various programmes, such as subsidizing sports associations directly. If the two MCs are dissolved, there will be a 'vacuum'. Moreover, if sports activities are only promoted by the Government without public support or participation, it will create a huge laughing stock (on the one hand, we hope to enhance our international reputation through sports, and on the other hand. we lack a MC with a long history and vested with real authority to promote sports activities. I think if the LegCo has decided to bid for the 2006 Asian Games and if the two MCs are to be dissolved, a lot of problems will emerge. Therefore, I now call on Legislative Councillors not to support the dissolution of the two MCs. I think the motion is very appropriate, and with these remarks, I support the motion. Chairman (in Cantonese):—Mr. LEE Shui-sing. MR. BENEDICt Lee Shui-sing (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I earnestly support the motion brought forward by Mr. Wong Man-chiu. As a cosmopolitan city, Hong Kong performs a lot better as compared to other Asian countries in every aspect. Many Asian countries and regions which have organized the Asian Games before do not measure up to Hong Kong in terms of background and specific conditions, and yet they are able to host the Games. Mr. WONG has just said that Hong Kong enjoys a marked advantage, namely the many high quality sports facilities under the PUC's administration. Although these facilities might not have been specially designed and built for international events, they can serve such purpose after being upgraded. Therefore, Hong Kong enjoys an edge over many other Asian countries. If other Asian countries can host the Asian Games, why can't Hong Kong? Page 496 of 606 Page 496 of 606 Page 496 of 606

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PROVISIONAL Urban COUNCIL

639

first part is about the facilities of our venues. Mr. WONG suggested upgrading the standard of the venues and facilities. This is indeed what we must do. However, six years is yet a very short time. If Hong Kong is determined to bid Ifor the Asian Games and to gain international recognition, we must put in resources and achieve our goal in six years' time. The Government must lake the greatest resolve to formulate a detailed plan and carry out efficient management. At present, many facilities provided by the Council are not up to international standards in many aspects. Here is a simple example. Every time when we host the international 25-metre short-course swimming competition, we only have a makeshift pool. While this is unequivocally a miracle created by Hong Kong, it should not be a permanent solution. In the long term, we must provide venues suitable for holding international events. The second and the more important part is about promoting a sports culture among the public and the training of athletes. Only by education and public participation can this goal be achieved and only after a long period of training can we see the results. In the long term, we should educate the public to think highly of sports.

The UC has all along been promoting sports-for-all activities. We have various programmes, such as subsidizing sports associations directly. If the two MCs are dissolved, there will be a 'vacuum'. Moreover, if sports activities are only promoted by the Government without public support or participation, it will create a huge laughing stock (on the one hand, we hope to enhance our international reputation through sports, and on the other hand. we lack a MC with a long history and vested with real authority to promote sports activities. I think if the LegCo has decided to bid for the 2006 Asian Games and if the two MCs are to be dissolved, a lot of problems will emerge. Therefore, I now call on Legislative Councillors not to support the dissolution of the two MCs. I think the motion is very appropriate, and with these remarks, I support the motion.

Chairman (in Cantonese):—Mr. LEE Shui-sing.

MR. BENEDICt Lee Shui-sing (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I earnestly support the motion brought forward by Mr. Wong Man-chiu. As a cosmopolitan city, Hong Kong performs a lot better as compared to other Asian countries in every aspect. Many Asian countries and regions which have organized the Asian Games before do not measure up to Hong Kong in terms of background and specific conditions, and yet they are able to host the Games. Mr. WONG has just said that Hong Kong enjoys a marked advantage, namely the many high quality sports facilities under the PUC's administration. Although these facilities might not have been specially designed and built for international events, they can serve such purpose after being upgraded. Therefore, Hong Kong enjoys an edge over many other Asian countries. If other Asian countries can host the Asian Games, why can't Hong Kong?

1998 — Page 496

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