Sports - 'and free facilities' - for all please as top officials join fun

The public hopes authorities can build more sports facilities and open them for free more frequently like on Sports for All Day yesterday, during which Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu tried his hand at virtual cycling, rowing and boxing.

The day proved a great success. Indeed, at Choi Hung Road Sports Centre, badminton courts were at maximum occupancy.

One sports enthusiast said that as some sports centers have been appropriated for use as community vaccination centers, it has become harder to secure bookings at public sports venues, adding authorities should build more facilities to rectify the issue.

Another also addressed these challenges, saying the sports day had introduced more competition and made booking venues even more difficult.

The annual sports day allows the public to enjoy free recreation and sports programs at designated sports centers across all 18 districts.

On his visit to the Tsuen Wan Sports Centre, Lee was accompanied by Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Leisure and Cultural Services Department director Vincent Liu Ming-kwong and five other government officials.

As part of an effort to merge physical activity and technology, virtual sports were this year's theme.

Lee first officiated the bike program in which players were able to virtually cycle through Tsim Sha Tsui and the cross-harbor tunnel.

Lee,Yeung and Liu even donned boxing gloves to give e-boxing a go.

"I have been practicing qigong for 25 years regardless of how hectic work became," Lee said at the center, adding: "I participated in virtual sports today with Yeung and I hope everyone can enjoy doing sports and strengthening their bodies regardless of venue restrictions."

Sixteen other officials also visited sports centers across the city yesterday.

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun paid a visit to Island East Sports Centre and even played table tennis with Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan and Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok. Elsewhere, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu participated in both dragon and lion dances at Kennedy Town's Smithfield Sports Centre.

Hui said on social media yesterday: "The local Covid-19 outbreak has stopped us from performing many outdoor activities but the sports day gave me an opportunity to take a break as well as encourage the public to enjoy sports."