ENG-1997 — Page 453

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

attracting 318 764 participants and 576 070 spectators. These included the PUC School Sports Programmes, Hong Kong (Boys and Girls) Football Promotion Scheme, the Hong Kong Basketball League, New Generation Table Tennis Training Courses, Windsurfing Promotion Scheme and the XL Festival of Sports.

To further promote the Sport-for-All concept, a series of major programmes such as the Corporate Games, Masters Games, Gold Card Fitness Scheme, Come and Try Scheme, Senior Citizens Recreation and Sports Fortnight, and Recreation and Sports Highlights for Disabled Persons were organised.

To enhance community sports development, the Provisional Urban Council Inter- District Sports Competition involving seven sports competitions was organised.

During the year, international sports events such as the 13th World Taekwondo Championship and 6th Women's World Taekwondo Championships, the 5th Chinese Chess World Championship, International Table Tennis Federation Pro-Tour Grand Finals '97 and '97 FESPIC Table Tennis Championships for the Disabled were held to reinforce Hong Kong's image as one of the world's event capitals.

Venues

The Provisional Urban Council provides and manages sports and recreational facilities. Currently, there are 41 indoor games halls, 16 swimming pool complexes, 136 tennis courts, 185 squash courts and nine sports grounds under the management and operation of the council.

In the year, two major new recreation and sports venues were completed: the Shek Kip Mei Indoor Games Hall and the Yuen Po Street Garden. More new facilities will continue to be put into service. Good progress was made in the development of the Ap Lei Chau Complex and the Squash and Tennis Complex at Chung Mei in the Southern District, the Sai Wan Ho Leisure Centre in Eastern District, the Lok Kwan Street Park in Mong Kok District, the Hong Ning Road Park (Phase I), the Sam Ka Tsuen Complex and Shun Lee Tsuen Recreation Ground in Kwun Tong District, and the Ho Man Tin Recreation Ground in Kowloon City District.

Provisional Regional Council Sports and Recreation Programmes and Facilities

To promote recreational and sports activities, the Provisional Regional Council organised a total of 7861 training

total of 7861 training courses, competitions and recreational programmes for 530 735 people of all ages and abilities in 1997. A total of $29.56 million was allocated for the organisation of a variety of programmes, including athletics, water sports, ball games, racket games, fitness, dance, tai chi, camping excursions, golf and lawn bowls. It also maintained close liaison with various local organisations in promoting recreational and sports activities in the nine New Territories districts. In all, 201 programmes were co-organised with local organisations and drew 69 477 participants.

The council has subsidised national sports associations and non-profit-making organisations through the Sports Subsidy Scheme since 1986 to promote participation in recreation and sport. In 1997, subsidies amounting to $9.26 million were allocated to support 3 722 projects, benefiting 290 040 people. One example was a joint venture with the Hong Kong Table Tennis Association to organise the Low

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