ENG-2009 — Page 482

402 Recreation, Sport and the Arts

the four races Good Ba Ba winning the Hong Kong Mile for the third time in a row and Sacred Kingdom claiming the Sprint title again after its first victory in 2007.

Recreational and Sports Programmes

In 2009, the LCSD organised some 35 800 recreational and sports programmes for about 2.17 million participants of all ages and abilities at a total cost of $128.6 million.

District Sports Teams Training Scheme

In order to generate greater community interest in sports and to foster a stronger sense of belonging among residents, the LCSD, in collaboration with the respective NSAs, formed basketball, football, handball and fencing teams in 18 districts. About 12 870 young people took part in 270 events organised in 2009.

'Healthy Exercise for All' Campaign

The LCSD and the Department of Health continued to co-organise the 'Healthy Exercise for All' campaign. A variety of promotional activities including a series of roving exhibitions at shopping malls, private residential club houses, schools, youth and elderly centres, LCSD sports centres, libraries, holidays camps and parks were organised to drive home the message that people of all ages should do daily exercise to stay healthy. Fitness programmes were drawn up for different target groups. The campaign also included hiking, walking, dancing and rope-skipping programmes. During the year, about 84 000 people took part in some 1 400 programmes of this kind.

Young Athletes Training Scheme

In 2009, the LCSD commissioned 20 NSAs to provide intermediate level training in 23 sports disciplines for teenagers wishing to become athletes under the Young Athletes Training Scheme. Some 28 070 young people joined the programme. Those showing potential were recommended for further training.

School Sports Programme

The School Sports Programme was drawn up to provide more opportunities for primary, secondary and special school students to participate in sports. To raise the standard of sport in schools, progressive training is provided for students showing potential. The scheme comprises seven subsidiary programmes: a Sport Education Programme, Easy Sport Programme, Outreach Coaching Programme, Sport Captain Programme, Joint School Sports Training Programme, Badges Award Scheme and Sports Award Scheme. In 2009, more than 7 700 sporting events were organised for over 600 000 students.

Community Sports Club Project

The Community Sports Club (CSC) Project is organised by the LCSD in collaboration with the NSAs. In 2009, the LCSD provided support to about 370 CSCs to organise 2 000 sports training activities for 44 100 participants. Seminars and management development programmes were organised for some 640 sports volunteers to help them run community sports clubs.