ENG-1990 — Page 394

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee

The Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong is the National Olympic Committee of the territory and has been recognised as such by the International Olympic Committee since 1951. It controls Hong Kong's participation in the Olympic, Commonwealth and Asian Games and closely monitors the selection of athletes chosen to take part.

The committee places great emphasis on sports education and over the years has sponsored a number of sports leaders, administrators, coaches, technical officials and athletes to attend sports science and education courses and congresses. It organises sports workshops and seminars in conjunction with tertiary institutions in Hong Kong and the United States Sports Academy. It plays a major role in the promotion of sports in Hong Kong by encouraging participation in international competitions and also, in conjunction with the governing bodies of sport and the municipal councils, the committee organises a large-scale annual community-building event - The Hong Kong Festival of Sport - which attracts wide participation.

Urban Council

The Urban Council manages a wide range of sports and runs numerous introductory courses at low cost for participants, to encourage people of all ages to take part in active recreation. The council encourages and promotes sporting activities by subsidising com- petitions organised by the various governing bodies.

Three major new recreational projects by the Urban Council in the Southern District were completed in 1990. The re-sanding of Repulse Bay Beach, most of which was completed in 1989, also necessitated the construction of two sand retaining structures which are to be developed as sitting-out areas. The new Aberdeen Promenade - which includes gardens, a basketball court and fountains- is a pleasant waterfront walk with views of Aberdeen's picturesque fishing community. Additionally, a new beach building has been provided at Stanley Main Beach.

Other major recreational facilities which have been completed on Hong Kong Island included the construction of an open space adjacent to Heng Fa Chuen in Chai Wan with a mini soccer pitch, a landscaped garden and children's play area, an open space at Caine Lane in Central with a landscaped garden and a children's playground, an open space at Wing Tai Road Interchange in Eastern with similar facilities and a water feature, and the Aldrich Bay Playground in Eastern which includes a sitting-out area and a mini soccer pitch.

Regional Council

Over 555 000 people took part in 5279 training courses, competitions and recreation programmes organised by the Regional Council, including waters sports, ball games, racquet games, athletics, archery, fencing, cycling, gymnastics, multigym-fitness and dancing.

In conjunction with concerned sports bodies, 10 pilot schemes were conducted to promote new forms of sports. These schemes served to explore and test the popularity of new sports prior to full introduction. Successful examples include mini-tennis, fin swimming and indoor cycling. A total of 15 events were organised during the year after their first introduction.

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