| A study entitled 'Sport for All ----- Participation Patterns of Hong Kong People in Physical Activities' was carried out to raise public awareness of the importance of active participation in sports and physical activities. |
Recreational and Sports Programmes
To promote the concept of Sport for All and to encourage people to participate in regular recreational and sports activities, the Department regularly organises a wide variety of training courses, recreational activities, sports programmes and competitions through the District Leisure Services Offices. The target groups are individuals from all walks of life and age groups. Major events and territory-wide projects include the Hong Kong Games (HKG) and the Healthy Exercise for All Campaign.
In 2009-10, we organised around 35 790 community recreational and sports activities for more than 2 163 000 participants of all ages and abilities at a cost of approximately $128.5 million.
Study on Sport for All ----- Participation Patterns of Hong Kong People in Physical Activities and Follow-up Plan
To develop indicators that allow measurement of the effectiveness of community sports promotional strategies, the Community Sports Committee of the Sports Commission (SC) completed a consultancy study entitled 'Sport for All ----- the Participation Patterns of Hong Kong People in Physical Activities' (hereafter, 'the Study') in late 2008. The findings of the Study revealed that more than half of Hong Kong's citizens failed to reach the 'baseline indicator' (i.e., participation in moderate or vigorous physical activities for at least 30 minutes a day at least three times a week) and can thus be considered inactive. Accordingly, a new promotional strategy was developed to encourage the public, especially inactive individuals, to adopt the baseline indicator as a starting point for participation in sports and physical activities and then to gradually develop a more active and healthier lifestyle, with the ultimate goal being regular, everyday participation in sports and physical activities.
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With reference to the Study's results and recommendations, a five-year follow-up action plan, to be divided into two phases, was formulated to encourage Hong Kong's people to participate in sports and other physical activities. The first phase of implementation focuses on publicity and education, with the message on the importance and benefits of regular physical activity participation disseminated through different channels and in collaboration with major stakeholders in the community. In the second phase, to encourage wider community participation, the Department will focus on the enhancement of recreational and sports services through the provision of more diversified activities and facilities.
Healthy Exercise for All Campaign
Enhancing public interest in sporting activities and encouraging the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle through regular physical exercise are ongoing missions for the Department. In conjunction with the Department of Health, we launched the Healthy Exercise for All Campaign in April 2000. The community activities organised in Hong Kong's 18 districts as part of this campaign in 2009-10 included fitness programmes for children, persons with disabilities and older persons; hiking and quality walking ('QualiWalk') schemes; Dance for Health programmes; and rope skipping activities. In addition, a variety of promotional activities, including a series of roving exhibitions in shopping malls, schools, youth centres, elderly centres, private residential club houses, LCSD holiday camps, parks, sports centres and public libraries, were organised to disseminate the campaign's message that people of all ages should take daily exercise to remain healthy. The response was encouraging, with 84 000 people taking part in 1 400 activities in 2009-10.
To help promote the Healthy Exercise for All Campaign, 31 top athletes were appointed as Healthy Exercise Ambassadors, and health education- and physical exercise-related materials were produced in the form of videotapes, VCDs, leaflets and booklets, which were also uploaded onto a specially designed webpage.
To promote 'QualiWalks' as a physical activity and to encourage public participation in sport, a special sports carnival was held as part of the campaign on March 7, 2010. Called 'Step and Walk, Seize a Healthy Life in Your Hands', this physical activity and sports carnival featured a variety of free activities, including 'QualiWalk' and sports demonstrations, performances and play-ins, a healthy diet talk, exhibitions on health and exercise, as well as games booths for the public's enjoyment.
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School Sports Programme
The School Sports Programme (SSP) is organised in partnership with the NSAs and the Education Bureau. This Programme provides opportunities for students to participate in different sporting activities with the aim of raising the standards of sport in primary, secondary and special schools.
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SSP activities encompass seven subsidiary programmes and schemes, namely, the Sport Education Programme, the Easy Sport Programme, the Outreach Coaching Programme, the Sport Captain Programme, the Joint Schools Sports Training Programme, the Badges Award Scheme and the Sports Award Scheme. In 2009-10, 35 NSAs joined the SSP and organised more than 7 700 sports activities for about 600 600 participants.
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Community Sports Club Project
The Community Sports Club (CSC) Project aims to broaden the base of sports development in Hong Kong and improve the standard of sport at the community level. The Project promotes and strengthens young people's development, encourages lifelong participation in sport and attracts volunteers.
The CSCs are provided with technical and financial support to organise sports development programmes, and seminars, training courses and workshops are also arranged to enhance the managerial and technical knowledge of CSC members. A total of 29 NSAs and around 390 CSCs have now joined the CSC Project. In 2009-10, around 2 000 CSC projects were organised with subsidies from the Department, attracting 44 000 participants.
District Sports Teams Training Scheme
To arouse community interest in sport, the 18 districts have set up their own football, basketball, handball and fencing teams with the support of the respective NSAs. More than 12 870 people have enrolled in these district teams, taking part in 270 training activities and inter-district competitions throughout the year.
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Young Athletes Training Scheme
The main objective of the Young Athletes Training Scheme (YATS) is to enhance sports training for young people at the district level with a view to identifying talented athletes who can be referred to the NSAs for further training. The most outstanding of these young athletes will then be selected for national junior squads and represent Hong Kong in international sports events.
In 2009-10, the YATS attracted more than 28 070 participants who were involved in 833 activities in 23 sports disciplines; 256 talented young athletes were referred to the NSAs for further training.
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Bun Carnival
The Bun Carnival 2009 was held from April 18 to May 3. The event attracted thousands of local and overseas visitors to Cheung Chau, with more than 6 000 participating in the Bun Scrambling Competition itself and in a variety of other programmes. In addition, athletes from neighbouring cities and from local Cheung Chau organisations were invited to compete in a relay contest to make the event even more stimulating.
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