ENG-2013 — Page 385

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Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts

AFs. The federation co-ordinates a four-month 'Festival of Sport' each year, which includes more than 80 sporting activities 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. The inaugural Olympism Camp in 2013 promoted Olympism and Olympic values to athletes, students and the community.

The federation's 'Hong Kong Athletes Career and Education Programme' provides financial support from the government and commercial sponsors for Hong Kong athletes to obtain an education and a career after retiring from athletic life. More than 280 athletes from 42 NSAs have received support since the scheme was launched in 2008.

The Hong Kong Anti-Doping Committee, an independent working group under the auspices of the federation, maintains a doping-free environment for fair play in sports in Hong Kong, and is responsible for planning and implementing an anti-doping programme.

Each year, with the support of sponsors, the federation organises the Hong Kong Sports Stars. Awards, the 'Oscars' of local sport, to recognise the achievements of top athletes. The presentation of the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Sports Stars Awards 2012 was held in conjunction with the federation's annual spring dinner in February. Cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze, who won Hong Kong's third ever Olympic medal in the London 2012 Olympic Games, was awarded the coveted Bank of China (Hong Kong) Best of Best Hong Kong Sports Star.

Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled

The Paralympic Movement in Hong Kong had another fruitful year in 2013 with Hong Kong athletes winning many trophies in international competitions, including 15 gold, 10 silver and 7 bronze medals at the Asian Youth Para Games in Malaysia in October, placing Hong Kong eighth out of the 42 competing countries and territories.

To maintain our competitive edge and to achieve further excellence, the Association is committed to nurturing more young disabled athletes and enhancing support to the coaching staff.

With the Incheon 2014 Asian Para Games and the qualifying competitions for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games just round the corner, Hong Kong's athletes are working hard on the necessary preparations for a challenging year ahead.

Hong Kong Sports Association for the Mentally Handicapped

The Hong Kong Sports Association for the Mentally Handicapped develops, promotes and organises sporting activities to help people with intellectual disability develop their potential and cultivate positive attitudes through sport, and to facilitate their integration into the community. The association's training programme caters for all levels of ability and 54,773 attended sports training and competitions organised by the association in 2013.

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