ENG-1994 — Page 451

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

Regional Council

Under the auspices of the Regional Council, over 480 700 people took part in 5 977 training courses, competitions and recreation programmes, including water sports, ball games, racket games, athletics, archery, gymnastics, multi-gym-fitness and dancing. Region-wide activities were well received by more than 10 400 participants.

With a view to promoting sports among students in the territory, the council, in conjunction with various sports and athletic associations and the Education Department, launched a youth sports training programme. Over 80 teachers and 4 120 students from 32 schools in the New Territories took part.

As a catalyst for the promotion of sports and recreation at the grassroots level, a series of Sports Superstars Roving Demonstrations were organised in November and December. Top athletes in tenpin bowling, lawn bowls, table-tennis, badminton, gymnastics and football, among other sports, met the public at their neighbourhood sports facilities. Altogether, 4 100 people were attracted to the demonstration series.

In order to encourage sports associations to organise competitions, training courses and spectator events, the council has provided subsidies through the Sports Subsidy Scheme since 1986. In 1994, subsidies amounting to $4.68 million were allocated in support of 242 projects, benefiting 172 769 people. Training courses were also organised for 363 instructors in various sports.

The council also provided a total subsidy of $183,064 in 1994 to voluntary agencies to organise 33 sporting events for the physically and mentally handicapped.

To promote sports and recreational events at the district level, a variety of programmes, including basic training courses, camping, excursions, competitions and fun days, were mounted in each of the nine districts in the council area. A total of $19 million was allocated for the organisation of 5 775 district programmes which drew 470 300 participants.

Sports and Recreation Venues

In 1994, six new sports and recreation venues were completed in the Regional Council area. There are now 32 indoor recreation centres, 14 swimming pool complexes, 86 tennis courts, 118 squash courts and 14 sports grounds.

Golf, a sport of the affluent in the past, is now being introduced by the council to the general public. Newly completed golf-driving range facilities at the Tuen Mun Recreation and Sports Centre and Wo Yee Hop Road Sportsground provide more than 120 bays for public use. The first bowling green in the Regional Council area was also opened in July at Sha Tin.

The council has three watersports centres (Tai Mei Tuk, Chong Hing and Wong Shek) and three holiday camps (Lady MacLehose Holiday Village, Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre and Tso Kung Tam Outdoor Recreation Centre). During the year, 69 012 people made use of the watersports centres and 324 053 used the holiday camps. More than 590 youngsters, aged between eight and 11, spent a memorable summer at the holiday camps.

Regional Council Festival '94

The Regional Council organises a month-long festival every two years to provide a wide spectrum of recreational, sport, cultural and environmental hygiene promotional activities. The fourth Regional Council Festival, Regco'94, adopted "Towards a Better Life' as its

401