ENG-1998 — Page 445

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

received total government subvention of $105.4 million. Of this, $68.28 million was allocated to support 50 National Sports Associations (NSAs) and the Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, in meeting personnel, office and sports programme expenses. Some of it was used to finance Hong Kong participation in major games and the hosting of major international events.

To enhance the performance of Hong Kong's athletes at international sporting competitions, the board identified 12 Focus Sports in March 1997, after a consultancy study by the government. They are badminton, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, rowing, squash, swimming, table tennis, track and field, triathlon, windsurfing and wushu. Performances in these 12 sports will be reviewed every two years, with the current cycle ending in March 1999. A further 38 sports are grouped as Development Sports.

Additional financial support is given to the 12 Focus Sports, including the running of a comprehensive training programme at the Sports Institute the board's elite training centre. Here, scholarship athletes receive support in the form of coaching services, training facilities, strength and conditioning training, sports science and medicine services, and career and education development. More than 290 elite athletes were under the scholarship programme in 1997-98.

Progress continues to be made in the coach education field under the supervision of the Hong Kong Coaching Committee. By the end of March 1998, more than 6 500 coaches from 40 NSAs in 42 different disciplines had participated in one of its major components, the Hong Kong Coach Accreditation Programme.

The board has injected considerable effort and resources into junior sports development. Under the GO!SPORT Programme, over 65 per cent of all primary and secondary schools have become involved in the programme, and more than 50 celebrities have accepted a role as programme ambassadors.

In order to provide regular training opportunities and frequent competition to those interested in sport, the Community Sports Clubs Programme had established 69 clubs in 15 sports and attracted some 3 200 people to enrol in the clubs by this year.

In 1997-98, $4.59 million was allocated to 45 elite, 40 potential and 37 disabled athletes through the Sports Aid Foundation Fund and the Sports Aid for the Disabled Fund, both administered by the board. This represented an increase of 18 per cent over the previous year. The board also distributed more than $860,000 from the Hong Kong Athletes Fund to 18 athletes to help meet their study expenses during the year.

The board has been active in securing funds from the commercial sector in support of development programmes. Since its inception in 1991, the Sports Sponsorship Advisory Service has generated more than $100 million for sport development in Hong Kong. The board also generated income from various commercial activities, including catering services, renting of sporting facilities, sports club membership and sports courses. The total amount in 1997-98 was $34.9 million.

Sporting Achievements

Hong Kong SAR athletes achieved significant success in 1998, winning a total of 68 gold, 76 silver and 65 bronze medals at their respective Asian and International Championships.

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