ENG-2016 — Page 382

20

Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts

Masters Games

The department organises the Masters Games biennially to inspire people aged 35 or above to maintain their physical and mental health by competing against individuals of similar age. The Masters Games 2016 attracted 4,815 participants to take part in six sports competitions.

'Healthy Exercise for All' Campaign and 'Sport for All Day'

The 'Healthy Exercise for All Campaign' is a territory-wide event organised jointly by the LCSD and the Department of Health. In 2016, more than 80,000 people took part in about 1,400 programmes under the campaign. Over 230,000 people participated in August in the annual 'Sport for All Day', which adopted 'Stay Active, Scale New Heights' as the event slogan to promote sport for all in the community. On that day, free recreation and sports programmes were held at designated sports centres in all 18 districts and most of the fee-charging sports facilities were open to the public free of charge.

Hong Kong Games

The biennial 6th Hong Kong Games will be held from April to May 2017. These games promote a stronger sporting culture in the community through competitions and community activities. Open selection of athletes from the 18 districts was launched in June 2016.

National Winter Games

The 13th National Winter Games were held in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 20 to 30 January. The Hong Kong delegation, consisting of 26 athletes, took part in five final competitions, winning a bronze in figure skating. It was Hong Kong's first medal at the National Winter Games, held every four years.

Culture and Arts Funding

Chart 1

Government Funding for Arts and Culture 2015-16

Arts and Sports Development Fund

1.52% ($58.9 million)

Arts Development Fund 0.08% ($2.9 million)

Others 3.88% ($150 million)

Cantonese Opera Development Fund 0.24% ($9.4 million)

Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts 8.09% ($312.6 million)

Hong Kong Arts Development Council 3.36% ($129.7 million)

Public Libraries & Activities

27.45% ($1,060.5 million)

Public Heritage,

Museums & Exhibitions

17.87% ($690.2 million)

Nine Major Performing Arts Groups 8.66% ($334.6 million)

Public Performing Arts

Venues & Programmes

28.84% ($1,114 million)

Total government expenditure on arts and culture in 2015-16 was $3.9 billion

312