Unique 'Sounds of Sports' Performance Blends Music and Athletics at International Arts Carnival

Musicians and elite athletes to unite on stage to present imaginative performance "Sounds of Sports"

The International Arts Carnival (IAC), organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will present an innovative performance, "Sounds of Sports", in early August. Led by acclaimed pianist Phoebus Chan, this unique production lines up a stellar cast of Hong Kong musicians and elite athletes to deliver a highly creative and playful show that will transform the concert hall into a dynamic sports arena and blend music and sports in an exciting fusion.

In this specially arranged music production, audiences will have an exciting face-to-face encounter with a Hong Kong table tennis star and experience the lightning-fast pace of rugby passes, feeling as if they are right on the field. Meanwhile, with the guidance of musicians, the audience will learn how to officiate fencing matches and gain insights into the techniques of Hong Kong's fencing heroes. Chan will take on a high-level challenge by running at high speed while performing the theme song of "Mission: Impossible" on the piano. Together they will conjure a delightful show filled with laughter and excitement, which should not be missed.

The production features an exceptional lineup of musicians, including pianist Chan, erhu musician Chan Pik-sum, jazz drummer Lawrence Tsui, cellist Pun Chak-yin and shakuhachi player Sunny Yeung. They will collaborate with elite athletes, namely karate experts Lee Chun-ho and Hinx Tang, rugby player Salom Yiu, fencer Lawrence Ng, table tennis player Venus Ng, and wushu athletes Kwan Ning-wai and Lau Po-yan. Together they will interpret the unique charm of various sports through vivid music.

"Sounds of Sports" will be staged at 3pm on August 2 and 3 at the Tsuen Wan Town Hall Auditorium. Tickets priced at $160, $240 and $300 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288, or use the mobile ticketing app "URBTIX".

For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit the IAC website (www.hkiac.gov.hk).

This year's IAC will run from July 11 to August 17, featuring a wide array of fun-filled educational programmes by overseas, Mainland and local art groups and artists. In addition to martial arts, acrobatics, dance, music, theatre and multimedia, the IAC will also offer film screenings, parent-child workshops, an online programme, an outreach performance and an exhibition.

Musicians and elite athletes to unite on stage to present imaginative performance "Sounds of Sports" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down suspected etomidate and crack cocaine manufacturing centre and seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $10 million

Hong Kong Customs shut down a suspected etomidate and crack cocaine manufacturing centre and seized a batch of suspected etomidate capsules and etomidate capsule raw materials, about 1.2 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 500 grams of suspected crack cocaine, and a batch of suspected drug manufacturing paraphernalia in Tin Shui Wai on January 14. One man and one woman were arrested, and the total estimated market value of the drug seizures amounted to about $10 million.

During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Tin Shui Wai in the small hours on January 14, Customs intercepted a 35-year-old man and found 50 suspected etomidate capsules in a paper bag carried by him. The man was arrested immediately and was brought to a nearby premises for a search. Later, Customs officers seized 267 suspected etomidate capsules, about 1.75kg of suspected etomidate powder, about 1.4kg of suspected etomidate oil, about 1.2kg of suspected cocaine, about 500g of suspected crack cocaine and a batch of suspected drug manufacturing paraphernalia in the premises. A woman, aged 26 and suspected to be connected with the case, was arrested there.

The arrested persons were jointly charged with two counts of manufacture of a dangerous drug and one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, and the arrested man was additionally charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. They will appear at the Sha Tin Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (January 17).

According to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, manufacture of a dangerous drug and trafficking in a dangerous drug are serious offences. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs shuts down suspected etomidate and crack cocaine manufacturing centre and seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $10 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases