ENG-2002 — Page 492

RECREATION, SPORT AND THE ARTS

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also to build the world's largest racecourse Diamond Vision Screen at the course, larger than one already in Happy Valley.

In its financial year ended in June, the club donated $1,065 million to 147 charities and community projects, despite a dip in betting turnover. The club paid betting duty of $10,503 million in horse racing and just over $1,000 million in Mark Six lotteries, which amounted to around 11.5 per cent of taxes collected by the Inland Revenue Department in 2001-02.

In November, the Government announced it proposed to authorise and regulate soccer betting in Hong Kong, and designated the Hong Kong Jockey Club as the operator. The Government proceeded to draw up details of the operational and regulatory framework, with a view to introducing the necessary legislative amendments into the Legislative Council in 2003.

Recreation and Sports Programmes

With the aim of promoting sport at all levels of the community, the LCSD organised some 24 400 recreation and sports programmes for over 1 450 000 participants of all ages and abilities in 2002. The total cost of these programmes was $112 million. In addition, the department organised a series of major recreation and sports programmes including the Corporate Games, the Masters Games, the 'Healthy Exercise For All' Campaign and the School Sports Programme.

District Sports Teams

In order to generate more community interest in sport and enhance a stronger sense of belonging among residents, the LCSD with the assistance of the respective National Sports Associations -set up district sports teams in basketball, football, badminton and table tennis in the 18 districts. About 4 000 youngsters participated in 317 activities organised in 2002.

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, 79 059 people participated in water sports programmes held at the water sports centres and 536 565 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 26 486 people in 2002.

'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 three focal events- the Sport-for-All Carnival, Dance Extravaganza and Rope Skipping Challenge Day. Roving demonstrations on three selected sports basketball, dance sports and gymnastics - — 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', fitness programmes for senior citizens, persons with a disability and over-weight children as well as two