In promoting the concept of 'Sport for All' and encouraging people to participate in regular recreation and sports activities, the department organises a wide variety of training courses, recreational activities, sports programmes and competitions through the District Leisure Services Offices. Major events and territory-wide projects include the Corporate Games and the Masters Games. Target groups include senior citizens, people with disabilities and youths at risk.

	'Sport for All' encourages people of all ages and abilities to participate in regular recreation and sports activities.

In 2004, the department organised 28,485 community recreation and sports activities for more than 1,656,000 participants of all ages and abilities, at a cost of about $99 million.

Healthy Exercise for All Campaign

Enhancing public interest in sports activities and encouraging the public to pursue a healthy lifestyle through regular physical exercise is an on-going role for the LCSD. In conjunction with the Department of Health, the 'Healthy Exercise for All Campaign' was held during the year. Sports events organised in the 18 districts to promote the campaign's message included fitness programmes for overweight children, people with disabilities and senior citizens; various walking projects (the hiking scheme, quali-walk, and stair climbing); dance for health; rope skipping activities; and a series of sports and health roving exhibitions. Response to the campaign was encouraging, with some 75,000 people taking part in 1,400 activities.

	Pursuing a healthy lifestyle — young and old enjoy one of the many delightful Hong Kong walks.

In helping to promote the campaign, 27 top athletes were appointed Healthy Exercise Ambassadors, while videotapes, VCDs, leaflets and booklets were produced to introduce the public to simple healthy exercises.

Age Group Competitions

Competitions were organised to provide more opportunities for people of similar ages and to sustain their interest in sport. The competitions included table-tennis, badminton and tennis. They covered five to eight age groups under two main divisions — youths and adults — and attracted more than 16,000 participants.

District Sports Teams Training Scheme

In a move to generate community interest in sport, the 18 districts each set up their own football, basketball, table-tennis and badminton teams with the support of the respective National Sports Associations (NSAs). More than 4,000 people enrolled in the district teams and took part in 299 training activities and inter-district competitions held throughout the year.

Heading for goal at an inter-district football competition.

Young Athletes Training Scheme

With the assistance of the NSAs, seven sports — badminton, table-tennis, football, basketball, swimming, squash and Judo — were selected for the Young Athletes Training Scheme (YATS).

	Budding sports stars testing their skills as part of the Young Athletes Table Tennis Training Scheme.

The main objective of YATS is to enhance training for young people in the seven sports at district level in the hope that talented athletes will be identified and referred to the NSAs for further training. The best of the athletes will then be selected to join national youth squads to represent Hong Kong in international sporting events.

In 2004, some 624 activities were organised, attracting 18,700 youngsters, from which 152 talented athletes were referred to the NSAs for further training.

Sand Sculpture Exchange Programme

From May 1 to 4, two sand sculpture teams comprising 10 members were sent from Hong Kong to participate in the Higashiichiki Town Harbour Festival in Kagoshima, Japan.

On November 21, the Southern District Sand Sculpture Competition and Sand Sculpture Exchange Programme was held at Shek O Beach. Sand sculptors from Kagoshima were invited to demonstrate their extraordinary creativity and skills. The event attracted local participants in five divisions — family, corporate, students, open and disabled. More than 1,000 spectators attended the highly entertaining programme.

	Sand sculptors from Kagoshima, Japan, working on their creation,'The Relaxing Doraemon in the Hot Spring'.

Corporate Games

The Corporate Games — one of the department's major promotional activities — are designed to help build an energetic and healthy community. They provide an opportunity for company employees to participate in sports competitions, encouraging them to exercise regularly and to improve their physique to cope with the challenge of work. The games also strengthen relationships between employers and employees.

The latest Corporate Games were held from October 2004 to January 2005, involving 14 competitive events at various recreational venues throughout Hong Kong. The games attracted more than 12,000 participants from 219 organisations.

	Young athletes perform at the opening ceremony of the Corporate Games.

	The spirit of competition is reflected in the face of this participant in the Corporate Games.

Masters Games

The Masters Games aim to inspire people aged 35 or over to maintain their physical and mental health through sport; and to offer competitors the opportunity to compete against people of a similar age to sustain their interest in sporting activities. The 2004 Games covered 10 events with 3,500 people taking part.

	The Masters Games provide a friendly competitive environment in a range of sports for people aged 35 or over.

School Sports Programme

Launched in 2001, the School Sports Programme (SSP) is organised in partnership with the NSAs and the Education and Manpower Bureau. Essentially, the programme aims to provide opportunities for youngsters to participate in more sports and to raise the standard of sports in primary, secondary and special schools.

A tense moment for netball players competing in the Easy Sport Programme.

Activities encompass the Sport Education Programme, the Easy Sport Programme, the Outreach Coaching Programme, the Sport Captain Programme, the Joint School Training Programme and the Sports Badges Award Scheme. In 2004, 29 NSAs joined the SSP and organised over 6,000 sports activities for more than 400,000 students.

	Students learning wushu through the Outreach Coaching Programme.

Community Sports Club Project

Broadening the base of sports development in Hong Kong and improving the standard of sports at community level are the aims of the Community Sports Club (CSC) project. It promotes and strengthens the development of young people, encourages a lifelong participation in sports and attracts more volunteers.

	Having fun, and learning the techniques of rugby.

Community Sports Clubs are provided with technical and financial support to organise sports development programmes. Seminars, training courses and workshops are also arranged to enhance the managerial and technical knowledge of members. A total of 26 NSAs and 205 CSCs have joined the project. In 2004, 847 CSC projects were organised with subsidies from the department, attracting 22,515 participants.

	A traffic jam with a difference as these paddlers take to the water under one of the Community Sports Club projects.

Healthy Elderly Scheme

A Healthy Elderly Scheme was launched in 2003 to promote healthy living for people in this age group. The scheme provides free recreational and sports programmes at sports centres during non-peak hours on weekdays. More than 500 free programmes were organised for the elderly in 2004.

Carnival for Pets

Sharing experiences in keeping pets is the aim of the Carnival for Pets — Happy Dogs Happy Days, which was again organised by the department at the Kwai Chung Sports Ground Hard-surfaced Pitches from October 30 to 31. A Halloween theme was adopted for this year's carnival to create an extra festive atmosphere. Programmes included a demonstration by police dogs, pet-related talks, exhibitions and games. The local community economy was promoted through retail stalls selling pet products together with a special food corner. The two-day event was well received by pet lovers, with over 16,000 people and 1,500 dogs taking part.

	'Happy Dogs Happy Days', was the well-chosen theme for the Carnival for Pets and pet lovers.

	Dogs and their owners are dressed up for the carnival which fell on Halloween Day.