ENG-2016 — Page 376

20

Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts

all major international, continental and regional multi-sports games, such as the summer and winter Olympic Games, summer and winter Asian Games and East Asian Youth Games.

With a membership of 78 National Sports Associations (NSAs) and sports organisations, the federation represents the collective voice of the Hong Kong sports community. Most of its members are NSAs, which are in turn affiliated to their Asian federations (AFs) and international federations (IFs). The NSAs are empowered to coordinate and conduct a wide variety of activities related to their sports, ranging from recreational programmes for the community to training programmes for novices and elite athletes. They organise and sanction participation in overseas competitions and train coaches and referees. They also implement and enforce local and international rules and regulations and represent Hong Kong at IF and AF meetings.

The federation coordinates a four-month Festival of Sport from March to June each year, featuring about 80 sporting activities organised by more than 60 NSAs to promote sport for all. Extensive educational programmes are also available for sports leaders, administrators, coaches and technical officials free of charge, notably through the Hong Kong Olympic Academy, which offers free sports management and sports science courses and programmes.

The federation's Hong Kong Athletes Career and Education Programme provides financial support from the government and commercial sponsors for athletes to obtain educational qualifications and a career after retiring from athletic life. Funded by sponsors, a separate charitable company was set up in end-2015 to operate the Sports Legacy Scheme, which develops the potential of students through a team of retired and retiring athletes.

The Hong Kong Anti-Doping Committee, an independent working group under the auspices of the federation, plans and implements education and testing programmes to maintain a doping-free environment for fair play.

Each year, with the support of sponsors and the government, the federation organises the Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards, the 'Oscars' of local sports, to recognise the achievements of top athletes.

Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled

The year 2015-16 marked yet another fruitful and victorious period for the local Paralympic movement. A delegation of 57 members, comprising 24 athletes, 31 officials and two representatives from the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee, attended the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, from which they brought home two gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

Riding on the momentum of the Games, the association continued to help various sports teams work towards targets set for the Jakarta 2018 Asian Para Games. While promoting the Paralympic movement, the association will also strengthen programmes to identify and nurture more young disabled athletes to represent Hong Kong and strive for sporting excellence.

Hong Kong Sports Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability

The Hong Kong Sports Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability develops, promotes and organises sporting activities to help people with intellectual disability develop their

306