Community Sports Club BulletinLeisure and Cultural Services Department
From the Editor
Page 2
The HKSAR Government strives to further sports development in Hong Kong, with the goals of promoting sports in the community, supporting elite sports, attracting major international sports events, enhancing professionalism, and building a thriving sports industry. In the previous issue, we featured the Community Sports Club Management Development Programme, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) in collaboration with Dr. Stephen Hui Research Centre for Physical Recreation and Wellness (CPRW) of the Hong Kong Baptist University. Integrating theoretical knowledge and practical application, the Programme aims to train up sports managers and thus enhance the governance of community sports clubs. This March, the Programme’s Advanced Course concluded with a graduation ceremony, where graduates received their certificates. The event also featured a themed sharing session on “Preventing Sacropenic Obesity” led by Dr. Bjorn Tam Tsz-king, Associate Director of the CPRW. Key insights from the session are covered in this issue’s “Featured Report”.
Founded in 1961, the Squash Association of Hong Kong, China (the Association) has been dedicating its efforts to promote the sport locally through training athletes, coaches and referees, as well as organising local competitions. Recognised as one of Hong Kong’s elite sports since the 1990s, squash is a fast-paced indoor sport played within four-walls, where agile footwork within confined spaces and seamless transitions between offensive and defensive are key. Players score points when their opponent fails to return the ball, making each match a thrilling test of both mental sharpness and physical agility. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the Association, Hong Kong’s squash athletes have consistently excelled in Asian competitions, demonstrating their world-class potential. Trace the Association’s remarkable footsteps in this issue’s “Portraits of National Sports Association”.
Meet Stephanie Chu Ying-yau, Hong Kong’s orienteering star, in this issue’s “Sports Hero”. A sports enthusiast since childhood, Stephanie first discovered her passion for windsurfing before an unexpected turn led her to orienteering. Today, she proudly represents Hong Kong team in numerous Asian and global orienteering competitions. Orienteering comes in varieties, from the more common cross-countryside events to city and park orientation events. Competing abroad, Stephanie will face various terrains and powerful opponents, demanding constant awareness and adaptability. Join us as she shares stories from her athletic career.
Rowing, a sport introduced to Hong Kong in the 19th century, takes the stage in this issue’s “Sports Recommendation”. Since its establishment in 1978, the Hong Kong, China Rowing Association has taken on the dual mission of promoting rowing and grooming athletes. Rowing is simple at its core – athletes propel the boat across water surface using the oar for leverage, racing to be the first to reach the finish line and win. Today, rowing has diversified into a myriad of disciplines, primarily sculling and sweep rowing. Sculling is further classified into single sculls, double sculls, and quadruple sculls; while sweep rowing can be coxless pair, coxed four, coxless four or coxed eight. Depending on the venue, there are variations including the Flat Water Rowing, Board Rowing, Coastal Rowing and Indoor Rowing, each offering something for both beginners and experienced rowers to challenge themselves.
This issue’s “New Stars” introduces readers to sport climber Fira Tsui Tsz-kiu, whose journey began in primary school when she discovered a love for climbing. She went on to join the junior squad and swept youth competitions with multiple wins, solidifying her resolve to pursue sport climbing. Sport climbing is incredibly demanding in terms of physical strength, skills and mental resilience. The key to victory lies not in physical but mental strength. When facing unfamiliar routes, being able to stay calm is crucial. Now a full-time athlete and having won first place in the Hong Kong Bouldering Championships, Fira continues to climb new heights as she aims for further breakthroughs.
To honour outstanding staff members of national sports associations, the LCSD held the ceremony of “The Fourth National Sports Association Outstanding Staff Award” at the Hong Kong Science Museum this March to present commendations to the awardees in recognition of their excellence in promoting the development of sports. Find more details in “Sports Kaleidoscope”.
In the 15th National Games to be commenced this November, Hong Kong will stage eight competition events. This will be immediately followed by the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games, for which Hong Kong will stage four competition events. For details, please refer to this issue’s “Latest News on Recreation and Sports”. Meanwhile, the skatepark at On Lok Mun Street Playground in Fanling has reopened. Equipped with international standard extreme sports facilities, it provides members of the public an opportunity to experience the excitement of extreme sports. A brief introduction can be found in this issue’s “Latest News on Recreation and Sports”.