ENG-2020 — Page 350

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Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts

The cross-boundary transport of horses to and from Conghua Racecourse training centre continued uninterrupted thanks to close cooperation between Mainland and Hong Kong authorities. Conghua Racecourse is contributing to the development of the equine industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), one of several GBA development projects announced in the Chief Executive's 2020 Policy Address.

Responding to the urgent needs of the pandemic, the club provided $987 million in funding. This included the donation of almost 16 million face masks, a $100 million emergency fund, free data bandwidth for low-income students, a food assistance programme, facilities enhancement for residential care homes, and support for first time job seekers. This was in addition to the club's ongoing charity support covering a wide spectrum of needs.

As Hong Kong recovers and rebuilds, the club will continue to provide its full support to the community and always work for its betterment.

Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled

The Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled promotes the Paralympic movement in Hong Kong and helps local para athletes achieve sporting excellence. It identifies and nurtures young para athletes to shine in international sporting events.

Although the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games was subsequently rescheduled because of COVID-19, Hong Kong athletes continued to compete at Games qualifiers in early 2020 and secured 17 slots in archery, boccia, equestrian, swimming and table tennis. The association continues to support athletes in their preparation and attempts to earn more spots in the remaining qualifiers.

During the year, the association worked out the 2021-2026 Strategic Development Plan that covers the period of two Paralympic Games and two Asian Para Games, enabling the formulation of forward-looking initiatives. The plan's 10 strategic goals comprehensively promote the development of local para sports from grassroots to elite level and will guide the association's future development.

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 to develop their potential and cultivate a positive attitude through sport, and to facilitate their integration into the community. Its training programme caters for all levels of ability.

Most international competitions were cancelled or postponed in 2020 because of COVID-19, but intellectually disabled athletes made the most of those international competitions they were able to take part in to sharpen their skills and show they could successfully compete with the best. They won 11 medals during the year, comprising five golds, four silvers and two bronzes. Highlights included one bronze in the Egypt Para Open 2020 in Alexandria, and one gold and two silvers in the PTT Polish Open in Wladysławowo.

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