PURPOSE

This paper sets out the Provisional Regional Council's policy and resources for sports facilities, training and promotion.

POLICY ON SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

2. The Provisional Regional Council (Pro RC) is empowered under the Regional Council Ordinance (Cap. 385) to provide, promote, sponsor, assist or collaborate with any person or group of persons in the organization of demonstrations, displays, or competitions of and training for sports for the general public, and to establish and maintain facilities for recreation and sports activities.

SPORTS FACILITIES

3. To encourage and to provide opportunities for the general public to participate in sports activities, the Pro RC builds and manages a comprehensive range of sports facilities (at Annex). Pro RC will continue to introduce a variety of new sports facilities for public use. A good example is the purpose-built golf centre in Tuen Mun, the first public golf facilities in Hong Kong. Pro RC plans to develop more sports and recreation facilities for all ages, including holiday camps and innovative swimming facilities. The fees and hire charges for Pro RC's facilities are set at a level well affordable to the public. In view of the economic downturns, the Pro RC froze its fees and charges in 1998/99 and 1999/2000.

SPORTS TRAINING

4. In furtherance of its commitment to the development of sports, the Pro RC plays an active role in facilitating other sports organizations in running their own sports training programmes, including financial subsidy to the National Sports Associations (NSAs). Through the Sports Subsidy Scheme, training opportunities are now provided for over fifty sports. In the light of such factors as the development potential of individual sports and the provision and location of related facilities, the Pro RC's will in its Sports Subsidy Scheme put more emphasis on systematic training for the young participants of water sports like windsurfing and rowing. These training programmes will form a broad base from which talents can be identified for further development by the NSAs. Additionally, the Pro RC will continue to strengthen the sports exchange with the Mainland and organize high-standard sports activities at Pro RC venues.

SPORTS PROMOTION 5. The Pro RC's policy on sports development is to promote sports for all by introducing a wide variety of sports (ranging from learn-to-play courses, sport fun days/ carnivals to district competitions) to cater for needs of different sectors and all age groups of the community in the Pro RC areas. In particular, the Council will continue to provide tailor-made programmes for target groups such as children, older persons, people with disabilities and residents in remote villages. These sports promotion activities are either free of charge (e.g. fun days/carnivals) or with fees set at a level affordable to the public. It is the Council's mission to provide opportunities for the community at large to use their leisure time by joining the sports promotion activities which, in long run, will benefit their physical and mental well-being.

PROVISION OF RESOURCES

6. Pro RC resources for provision of sports facilities, training and promotion activities for the past three years are summarized as follows:


CONCLUSION

7. The Provisional Regional Council will continue to promote sports for all through the provision of diversified sports facilities and programmes. It will maintain close relationship with other major providers in the sports community and help to enhance the overall development of sports in Hong Kong.


Regional Services Development
23 February 1999
Ref.: RSD 43/HQ 814/92 III

Annex