ENG-2004 — Page 520

450 Recreation, Sport and the Arts

The School Sports Programme comprises six subsidiary programmes: Sport Education Programme, Easy Sport Programme, Outreach Coaching Programme, Sport Captain Programme, Joint Schools Sports Training Programme and the Sports Badges Award Scheme. In 2004, about 6 000 sports activities were organised for over 400 000 students. The LCSD will work closely with schools and NSAs to improve the programme and to serve more schools and students.

Community Sports Club Project

The Community Sports Club Project was implemented by the LCSD in partnership with NSAs to provide sports development opportunities for young players, enhance the standard of sport at community level and promote lifelong participation in sport. During the year, 205 community sports clubs joined the project. A total of $4 million was spent on 847 sports training programmes for 22 500 participants. Seminars and management development programmes were organised for 825 sports volunteers with a view to improving the administration of the clubs.

Sports Subvention Scheme

With effect from April 2004, the Hong Kong Sports Development Board has ceased its subvention function to NSAs. The responsibility for funding allocation was transferred to LCSD which has become the single funding agent to centrally disburse the subvention to NSAS and other sports associations for organising sports events, training programmes and competitions.

In 2004, the department provided subvention of $136 million on 7 667 sports programmes which attracted over 635 200 participants. Among the most popular programmes were the Youth Football Scheme, New Generation Table Tennis Training Courses, Youth Windsurfing Promotion Scheme and Youth Wushu Training Scheme.

During the year, the NSAs concerned were given subsidies under the scheme to organise activities including the World Hong Kong Luminous Dragon Dance and Lion Dance Championships and the Asian Schools Football Championships.

East Asian Games 2009

In November 2003, Hong Kong won the hosting right of the East Asian Games 2009 (2009 EAG) To ensure smooth and timely preparation and organisation of the Games, the 2009 EAG Planning Committee was established in June 2004, which has a wide representation with members coming from the SF&OC, the sports sector, relevant government departments and related sectors in the community including business, banking, tourism and airline. The 2009 EAG Planning Committee will plan and prepare for the organising of the event; enlist community support; develop publicity and marketing strategy; and advise on the venue facilities required for the

event.