Page 497 of 606
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
Besides, Hong Kong athletes have given much better performance in the Asian sports world in the past few years. If these athletes could take part in sports competitions in their own place, I am sure that with a mix of luck and other favourable factors, they could achieve even more remarkable results. In the Women's World Cup Final just concluded, we could see that it was a very close match between the two teams playing in the final. However, with the support given by local soccer fans to the champion team, luck was on their side. But it does not mean that one should count on luck. According to past experience, Hong Kong athletes could always benefit from the international events held in Hong Kong because apart from the more splendid performance they are likely to render, a larger number of them would be able to participate in Hong Kong than the case would be when they have to be sent overseas to compete in games. These games provide a good opportunity for the training of local athletes.
Meanwhile, the All China's Games will be held in Guangzhou in 2001 and we are striving for having some of the events to be staged in Hong Kong. It is believed that the experience thus gained would be very useful when we host the Asian Games in 2006. Some Members have just mentioned that not every UC venue could be used for this purpose. The Hong Kong Sports Institute is in Shatin and almost all the elite athletes of Hong Kong have to travel there to receive training. I wonder whether the Government could build a training centre in Kowloon or on Hong Kong Island. Besides providing a training venue for local athletes, this training centre can also be used as a venue for the international events in 2006.
As regards the policy on sports, Mr. Wong Man-chiu has just mentioned something that the Government could do. I think we can look at the issue from two perspectives.
Firstly, the concept of 'Sports-for-All' is very popular in mainland China. However, in respect of mass participation in sports, there is still a lot to be done in Hong Kong. If Hong Kong people are provided with proper training in sports, not only can they enjoy good health, they can realize the benefits and importance of sports as well. In Hong Kong, parents attach great importance to their children's academic achievements. They devote all their time and energies to helping their children with their studies because they think that their children's academic qualifications are of paramount importance to making a living in future. If they understand that sports play a more important role in one's future development, they will be more willing to train our future generations in sports. Apart from spreading the message of the benefits of sports to the public, efforts should also be made to lift the profile of sports in the community so as to arouse the public's interest in sports. Holding international sports events in Hong Kong must have the support of the public so as to develop a sports culture in the community. Holding major international sports events in Hong Kong can certainly arouse local interest in sports and go a long way towards promoting greater participation in sports.
Page 497 of 606
Page 497 of 606
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PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
Besides, Hong Kong athletes have given much better performance in the Asian sports world in the past few years. If these athletes could take part in sports competitions in their own place, I am sure that with a mix of luck and other favourable factors, they could achieve even more remarkable results. In the Women's World Cup Final just concluded, we could see that it was a very close match between the two teams playing in the final. However, with the support given by local soccer fans to the champion team, luck was on their side. But it does not mean that one should count on luck. According to past experience, Hong Kong athletes could always benefit from the international events held in Hong Kong because apart from the more splendid performance they are likely to render, a larger number of them would be able to participate in Hong Kong than the case would be when they have to be sent overseas to compete in games. These games provide a good opportunity for the training of local athletes.
Meanwhile, the All China's Games will be held in Guangzhou in 2001 and we are striving for having some of the events to be staged in Hong Kong. It is believed that the experience thus gained would be very useful when we host the Asian Games in 2006. Some Members have just mentioned that not every UC venue could be used for this purpose. The Hong Kong Sports Institute is in Shatin and almost all the elite athletes of Hong Kong have to travel there to receive training. I wonder whether the Government could build a training centre in Kowloon or on Hong Kong Island. Besides providing a training venue for local athletes, this training centre can also be used as a venue for the international events in 2006.
As regards the policy on sports, Mr. Wong Man-chiu has just mentioned something that the Government could do. I think we can look at the issue from two perspectives.
Firstly, the concept of 'Sports-for-All' is very popular in mainland China. However, in respect of mass participation in sports, there is still a lot to be done in Hong Kong. If Hong Kong people are provided with proper training in sports, not only can they enjoy good health, they can realize the benefits and importance of sports as well. In Hong Kong, parents attach great importance to their children's academic achievements. They devote all their time and energies to helping their children with their studies because they think that their children's academic qualifications are of paramount importance to making a living in future. If they understand that sports play a more important role in one's future development, they will be more willing to train our future generations in sports. Apart from spreading the message of the benefits of sports to the public, efforts should also be made to lift the profile of sports in the community so as to arouse the public's interest in sports. Holding international sports events in Hong Kong must have the support of the public so as to develop a sports culture in the community. Holding major international sports events in Hong Kong can certainly arouse local interest in sports and go a long way towards promoting greater participation in sports.
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