ENG-2003 — Page 495

RECREATION, SPORT AND THE ARTS

In the 5th National Intercity Games of China, held in Changsha, Hunan, the HKSAR team won two gold medals — in the men's cycling 120-kilometre road race and the men's tennis singles - and a bronze medal in women's windsurfing. The team ranked 35th among the 78 participating cities in the medal tally.

In the Inaugural FESPIC Youth Games held in Hong Kong, the SAR's disabled athletes won a total of 29 gold, 46 silver and 39 bronze medals. Hong Kong ranked fourth among the 15 competing countries and territories in the medal tally. The SAR's mentally disabled athletes also performed very well in the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Dublin, Ireland, winning 50 medals 31 gold, 13 silver and six bronze.

Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China

The Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee (SF&OC) of Hong Kong was founded in 1949-50 and reorganised as a National Olympic Committee (NOC) in 1951. It changed to its present name of Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China with effect from March 8, 1999. The federation is a member of the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Council of Asia and the Association of National Olympic Committees and has been responsible for organising Hong Kong's participation in such major multi-sports games as the Olympic, Asian, East Asian, Pacific and National Games. With a membership of 72 National Sports Associations (NSAs), it represents the collective voice of the Hong Kong sports community. Office-bearers, elected biennially, include the President, eight Vice- Presidents, the Honorary Secretary General, a maximum of three Honorary Deputy Secretaries, and the Honorary Treasurer.

Members of the SF&OC are NSAs, which are in turn affiliated to their International Federations (IFs) and Asian Federations (AFs). They have the responsibility to develop and promote their specific sports and are managed by elected officers under either the limited company or registered society ordinances. They are empowered to coordinate and conduct a wide range of activities related to their sports, from organising sports and recreation programmes for beginners to training of elite athletes; organising and sanctioning participation in local and overseas competitions and tournaments and the training of coaches and referees. NSAS implement and enforce local and international rules and regulations, and they represent Hong Kong in meetings of the IFs and the AFs.

The elected officers of the SF&OC and the NSAS are volunteers of high standing and expertise in their respective fields of sport. They are also the cornerstones in safeguarding the autonomy of the NOC/NSAS and in assuring a high quality of sports and recreation in Hong Kong.

For half a century, the federation has coordinated a comprehensive three-month Festival of Sport, commencing in March every year. It also organises extensive education programmes for sports leaders, administrators, coaches and technical officials free of charge, notably through the Hong Kong Olympic Academy which offers free sports management and sport science courses and programmes.

With the support of sponsors, the federation organises each year the Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards, the 'Oscars' of local sport, to recognise the achievements of top sportsmen and women. The 2002 prize presentation was held on March 10 in conjunction with the federation's annual spring dinner, which attracted a large turnout at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

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