ENG-2009 — Page 478

398 Recreation, Sport and the Arts

participated in activities organised by these camps and sea activity centres during the

year.

The LCSD is also the authority responsible for issuing and renewing licences for places of amusement. During 2009 the LCSD processed 73 applications for billiard establishments, nine for public bowling alleys and seven for public skating rinks.

Hong Kong Sports Institute Limited

The Hong Kong Sports Institute Limited was established on October 1, 2004 to provide an environment in which sports talent can be identified, nurtured and developed. Other than sports facilities, the support given to athletes includes elite coaching and training, sports science, sports medicine, education, applied research and sports information. During the year, 14 sports were covered by the Elite Training Programme athletics, badminton, billiards, cycling, fencing, karatedo, rowing, squash, swimming, table tennis, tenpin bowling, triathlon, windsurfing and wushu.

The institute also supports outstanding athletes in other sports under the Individual Athletes Support Scheme and the Disabled Sports Elite Training Programme. During the year, its activities focused on the preparation of athletes for the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and planning for the redevelopment of the Institute.

Sporting Achievements

Hong Kong athletes achieved outstanding results in various international and regional sporting events in 2009, winning a total of 268 gold, 293 silver and 387 bronze medals'. At the Tokyo 2009 Asian Youth Para Games, the Hong Kong delegation brought back 19 gold, 12 silver and 16 bronze medals. Local athletes also registered a record medal tally of 26 gold, 31 silver and 53 bronze medals at the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games.

Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China

The Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong was founded in 1950 and recognised as a National Olympic Committee (NOC) in 1951. It changed its name to 'Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China' on March 8, 1999. The federation is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Olympic Council of Asia and the Association of National Olympic Committees and has been responsible for organising Hong Kong's participation in all major multi-sports games such as the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Asian Indoor Games and East Asian Games. With a membership of 74 National Sports Associations (NSAs) and sports organisations, it represents the collective voice of the Hong Kong sports community.

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The information regarding the number of medals is provided by Hong Kong Sports Institute, Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, and Hong Kong Sports Association for the Mentally Handicapped in 2009.