Recreation, Sport and the Arts 399
Members of the federation are NSAs, which are in turn affiliated to their international federations (IFs) and Asian federations (AFs). They are empowered to co-ordinate and conduct a wide range of activities related to their sports, from organising sports and recreational programmes for beginners to training elite. athletes. They also organise and sanction participations in local and overseas competitions and tournaments, and train coaches and referees. NSAs implement and enforce local and international rules and regulations, and represent Hong Kong in meetings of the IFS and the AFS.
The federation has co-ordinated a four-month Festival of Sport for half a century. More than 70 of the festival's sporting activities were organised by over 60 NSAs to promote sport for all. It also organises extensive educational 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 the annual Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards, the 'Oscars' of local sport, to recognise the achievements of top athletes. The presentation of Bank of China Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards 2008 was held in conjunction with the federation's annual spring dinner in February. Athlete So Wa Wai was awarded the most coveted Bank of China (Hong Kong) Best of Best Hong Kong Sports Star Award.
Hong Kong sports established a new milestone in 2009 with the successful staging of the 5th East Asian Games, an international multi-sports event held in Hong Kong for the first time. More than 2 100 athletes competed in 22 sports at the event. International Olympic President, Count Jacques Rogge, and other world celebrities attended the spectacular opening ceremony held on the Kowloon waterfront facing picturesque Victoria Harbour. State Councillor, Madam Liu Yandong formally opened the Games. The Hong Kong, China delegation, headed by Mr Timothy Fok, President of the Federation, Mr Pang Chung, Honorary Secretary General and Ms Vivien Lau, Chef de Mission, won 110 medals, the largest number ever garnered by Hong Kong at any event.
Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled
The year 2009 will be remembered with mixed emotions.
It saw the sad loss of Professor Sir Harry Fang Sin-yang, the beloved President of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, who passed away on August 24, 2009 after a long illness.
Professor Fang was known widely for his contributions to the welfare of Hong Kong people and, in particular, to sports for people with disabilities in Hong Kong, the Mainland and around the world. He will be sorely missed.
On the brighter side, Hong Kong's athletes resumed their vigorous training soon after the Beijing Paralympic Games and have been participating in international competitions. Some 200 athletes took part in 25 international competitions in
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.