Free Public Lectures on Sports and Healthy Aging Scheduled for November at Hong Kong Science Museum and Central Library

Research Grants Council to present public lecture on "Secrets of Exercise: Healthy Aging and the Best Exercise Method" and "Sports Narratives: Equestrian Through the Ages and Athlete Entrepreneurship"

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:

Echoing the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games, the Research Grants Council (RGC) will organise a series of sports and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics)-related public lectures in November. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. All are welcome.

Two lectures titled "Secrets of Exercise: Healthy Aging and the Best Exercise Method" and "Sports Narratives: Equestrian Through the Ages and Athlete Entrepreneurship" will be held on November 22 (Saturday) and November 23 (Sunday). Both lectures will be conducted in Cantonese. Details are as follows:

"Secrets of Exercise: Healthy Aging and the Best Exercise Method"

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The first session, "Role of Exercise in Healthy Aging", features Assistant Professor of the Department of Sports and Health Sciences of Hong Kong Baptist University Professor Jiao Jiao. Drawing on scientific principles and the Eastern and Western exercise concepts, the lecture will discuss how engaging sports can support physical health, cognitive function, well-being, and longevity in older adults, creating a new era of wellness for the silver-haired group.

In the second session, "What is the Best Exercise Approach for Enhancing Health?", Professor and Head of the Division of Kinesiology at School of Public Health, and Assistant Dean of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Parco Siu, will bridge the gap between the World Health Organization's recommendations and practical implementation, and introduce the best exercise approach for enhancing health.

Date:November 22 (Saturday)

Time: 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Venue: Lecture Hall, 1/F, Hong Kong Science Museum

Live Broadcast: Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hkscm) or YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/hksciencemuseum)of the Hong Kong Science Museum

"Sports Narratives: Equestrian Through the Ages and Athlete Entrepreneurship"

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The first session of the lecture, "The History of Equestrian Sports in Hong Kong and Singapore", will be presented by Assistant Professor of the Division of Humanities of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Professor Liz Chee. The lecture will focus on the history of equestrian sports in Hong Kong and Singapore, exploring why horse-racing, which originated from the British colonial era, has followed divergent trajectories in the two regions. The lecture will also cover other forms of equestrian activities.

In the second session, "From Sports to Startups: Athletes Navigating in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems", Senior Lecturer of the Department of Management of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Dr Frank Ng, will examine from an entrepreneurial ecosystem perspective the opportunities available to athletes outside the competitive arenas. He will introduce the unique qualities athletes possess for entrepreneurship, as well as the challenges within the entrepreneurial ecosystem and corresponding strategies.

Date:November23 (Sunday)

Time: 3pm to 5pm

Venue: Lecture Theatre, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library

Live Broadcast: YouTube channel of the Hong Kong Public Libraries (www.youtube.com/channel/UCJUipdvSACZjO1ldoO3YQBA)

The RGC has been regularly organising public lectures since 2009, featuring various distinguished scholars as speakers. These lectures aim to promote research knowledge from Hong Kong's tertiary institutions and raise public awareness of the significance and value of local research work.

For enquiries, please call 2524 3987 or visit the University Grants Committee webpage (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/events/lectures/lectures.html). Additionally, members of the public can register for the RGC's email subscription service at www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/subscribeto receive regular updates.

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (December 8) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted a 31-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (December 7). About 13 900 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $62,000 and a duty potential of about $46,000, were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases