ENG-2001 — Page 495

RECREATION, SPORT AND THE ARTS

including the Corporate Games, the Masters Games, the 'Healthy Exercise For All' Campaign and the School Sports Programme.

District Sports Teams

―

In view of the encouraging response to the formation of district football and basketball teams in 2000, the LCSD with the assistance of the Hong Kong Badminton Association and the Hong Kong Table Tennis Association set up two more district sports teams, in badminton and table-tennis, in the 18 districts. Over 4 000 youngsters enrolled as members of the four district sports teams, and 437 training courses and inter-district competitions were held in 2001.

Water Sports and Holiday Camps

The LCSD manages four water sports centres (Chong Hing, Tai Mei Tuk, The Jockey Club Wong Shek and St Stephen's Beach) and four holiday camps (Lady MacLehose Holiday Village, Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre, Tso Kung Tam Outdoor Recreation Centre and Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village). During the year, 73 740 people participated in water sports programmes held at the water sports centres and 522 070 enjoyed the facilities at the holiday camps. To allow more people at work to enjoy camping facilities after office hours, the department provided 'Evening Camp' programmes for 24 350 people in 2001.

Healthy Exercise for All' Campaign

To enhance public awareness of the importance of exercising regularly in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, the LCSD and the Department of Health continued to co-organise the 'Healthy Exercise for All' Campaign. Various activities were held throughout the year, including two focal events the Opening Ceremony and the 'Active Living Carnival'. Roving demonstrations on four selected sports fencing, badminton, table-tennis and wushu were organised. Leading athletes from the Mainland and Hong Kong performed at these demonstrations to arouse public interest in the sports. 'Dance for Health' and 'Rope Skipping' programmes were also introduced to offer a wider choice for the public. Fitness programmes for over-weight children, senior citizens and persons with a disability as well as two walking schemes were the core programmes. In 2001, over 90 000 people took part in some 1 800 programmes. In addition, 37 local sports stars were invited to be 'Healthy Exercise Ambassadors' and a total of 246 organisations had become signatories to the 'Active Living Charter'. Videotapes, video discs, leaflets, publications, radio and television programmes were produced to further publicise the campaign and teach citizens to do physical exercise whether at home, at school, at elderly centres or at workplaces.

Region-wide Events

The Corporate Games, aimed specially at the working population, attracted 11 000 participants from 201 industrial and commercial organisations in 18 activities. The Masters Games, held for the 35 and above age group, attracted about 2600 participants in 10 competitions. The five region-wide Age Group Competitions, which aimed to encourage people of all ages to take part in sports activities, attracted over 35 300 participants. The Hong Kong International Kite Festival and the Hong Kong Sand Sculpture Competition, which were well received by the public, attracted 3 000 and 2 060 participants, respectively.

423

Page 495Page 496