Recreation, Sport and the Arts | 397
Scheme, Youth Wushu Promotion Scheme and Hong Kong (Boys and Girls) Basketball Training Scheme.
In 2007, the NSAs were given subsidies under the scheme to stage international events in Hong Kong. These included the Tennis Champions Challenge, 2007 Hong Kong ITU Triathlon Asian Cup, Hong Kong International Judo Tournament, FINA Marathon Swimming World Cup Hong Kong, Hong Kong Open Windsurfing Championships, Hong Kong International Bowls Classic 2007, 16th Super Kung Sheung Cup International Basketball Invitation Championships, 12th Asian Gold Cup Taekwando Tournament, and Tour of the South China Sea (Cycling).
2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events
The Equestrian Committee (Hong Kong) of Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (Equestrian Committee) was established in October 2005 following the announcement that the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events will be held in Hong Kong. The Chief Executive is the patron and the Chief Secretary for Administration, the president of the Equestrian Committee. A steering committee, supported by six coordinating committees, was also set up to better coordinate the work of different bureaux, departments and non-government agencies in connection with the equestrian events. The executive arm of the Equestrian Committee - the Equestrian Events (Hong Kong) of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad Company Limited (Equestrian Company) - registered under the Companies Ordinance, was formed in February 2006 to carry out the day-to-day work of organising the equestrian events. In addition, a trust fund the 2008 Beijing Olympic Equestrian Events Hong Kong Fund - was set up to raise money for the education, culture and community involvement activities held to promote Olympism and the events.
The organising work for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events is in full swing and going well. A trial run, the 'Good Luck Beijing HKSAR 10th Anniversary Cup', was held from 11 to 13 August to test the facilities in place for holding the equestrian events. Sixteen riders and horses from 7 countries and 20 local riders and horses took part in a three-day individual eventing competition held as part of the trial run. The organisers received high praise from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and the participating teams.
The Government is conducting a series of programmes to arouse public interest in the Olympic Games and the equestrian events, cultivate the Olympic atmosphere in the city, and to promote Olympism within the community. In addition, the Government is considering ways to commemorate the equestrian events and to promote the Olympic legacy.
The Government and the Hong Kong Tourism Board are also stepping up their overseas efforts to brand Hong Kong as the Olympic co-host city.
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