Chan admits to skateboard fears as he unveils plan for sports venues

A feasibility study to turn Kwun Chung Municipal Services Building in Jordan and a nearby park into skateboarding and urban sport venues will be completed within the year, says Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po.

Writing in his blog yesterday, Chan said he had an unforgettable first taste of skateboarding at Kwun Tong Promenade one morning last week.

Chan, who turned 68 last Saturday, said he plucked up the courage to try the sport under the professional guidance of athlete Luk Chun-yin and the encouragement of three young skateboarders.

"Although I was trembling and fearful that morning, I saw results as I persevered and wasn't afraid of difficulties," he wrote, adding he appreciated people cheering him up while passing on the promenade.

Chan said facilities are essential in promoting sports development as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department provides a number of venues for urban sports, including 14 indoor and outdoor sport climbing facilities, eight skateboard grounds, five skate parks, and more than 120 five-a-side football pitches.

The government plans to improve venues and provide bouldering walls and more skateboarding facilities.

"I announced in the Budget last month we are considering the conversion of some underutilized floors of the Kwun Chung Municipal Services Building into an indoor venue for urban sports like skateboarding and bouldering," Chan said.

He also said the government is considering upgrading a basketball court at King George V Memorial Park, Kowloon, into an urban sports center with indoor and outdoor venues.

The conversion studies are expected to be done within this year and consultations will be conducted.

Chan said newly emerged sports have created another dimension to physical exercise for people to challenge themselves and show their personality.

Some urban sports like 3x3 basketball, five-a-side football and skateboarding have been included in the Olympics or Youth Olympic Games.

He also said some international games attract a large number of tourists.

The city is expecting large-scale sports tournaments during the golden period after the epidemic, including the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, the Hong Kong Cyclothon and Hong Kong Sevens scheduled for March 31 to April 2.