Speech by PSCST at opening ceremony of Centre for Exercise Science and Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University
Following is the speech by the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum, at the opening ceremony of the Centre for Exercise Science and Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), today (April 17):
The Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum (left), Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Dr Wong (Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU, Dr Kennedy Wong), Professor Wai (President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, Professor Alex Wai), Professor Pigozzi (President of the International Federation of Sports Medicine, Professor Fabio Pigozzi), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:
Good morning.
I am very happy to join you all today at the opening ceremony of the Centre for Exercise Science and Medicine at the Hong Kong Baptist University.
Sports development in Hong Kong has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, which is evident in athletes' outstanding achievements. Our elite athletes brought home a record of two golds and two bronzes at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, and set another record by capturing 19 medals at the 15th National Games last year. Such triumphs not only speak for the talent and strength of our athletes, but also demonstrates the contributions of our sports medicine and sports science professionals.
The Government has shown continuous support in the development of sports medicine and sports science, which is essential to elite sports development in Hong Kong.
The Government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club jointly committed $300 million to launch the Sports Science and Research Funding Scheme in 2022, which aims to enhance athletes' competitiveness in major international games. As of today, a total of 31 research projects have been approved with the funding amount reaching $198 million. The Hong Kong Baptist University has taken part in one of these projects on monitoring athletes' health, the results of which have been applied to support athletes' training. The Hong Kong Sports Institute will continue to explore more research projects with research institutes to further enhance the training effectiveness of our elite athletes.
The opening of the Centre for Exercise Science and Medicine today represents an important milestone in the development of sports medicine and sports science in Hong Kong. As the first collaborating centre of the International Federation of Sports Medicine in Hong Kong, it is expected to foster exchanges between the sports medicine and sports science community in Hong Kong and that around the world.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Hong Kong Baptist University for your long-standing commitment to and support in nurturing sports talents over the years. With the establishment of this new Centre, I am confident that the University will continue to contribute to the excellence of our athletes, advance research in sports medicine and sports science, and further enhance professionalism in the wider sports community.
Congratulations again to the Hong Kong Baptist University. May this Centre serve as a platform where academic excellence and commitment to sports continue to flourish.
Thank you.
The Hong Kong Baptist University, Photo source: official website of HKBU
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The President of Legislative Council (LegCo), Dr Starry Lee, as well as members of LegCo Panel on Development and other Members conducted the third visit to the Northern Metropolis (NM) today (September 10) to gain insight into the latest planning and development of the Kwu Tung North (KTN) New Development Area (NDA), the efforts to conserve the ecology of and historic buildings in NM, and the Administration's measures to promote urban-rural integration.
Accompanied by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, and the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, Members first observed the construction sites of the public housing estate Kwu Chun Estate, several private housing projects, and the MTR Kwu Tung Station at the newly constructed Road P1 in the KTN NDA. They were also briefed by the Administration on the overall planning and development concepts of the KTN NDA, as well as the latest development progress of housing, transport infrastructure, and the Government joint-user complex and general office building in the district.
Members learnt that Kwu Chun Estate is among the first batch of public rental housing projects in the NDAs of the NM, with phase one comprising about 5 000 units that will be ready for intake in phases starting from the third quarter of this year. The Kwu Tung Station is also expected to commence service in 2027. Members exchanged views with government officials on the construction of community facilities, such as markets, shopping centres, public transport facilities and schools in the NDA, and urged the Administration to ensure that community facilities are in place when residents start to move in to meet the needs of local residents.
Members also visited the Sik Sik Yuen Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre Eco-Learn Institute in Kwu Tung. Built in 1933, the Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre provided medical services to local villagers until its closure in 2005. The Centre was subsequently accorded Grade II historic building status, and then revitalised into an ecological learning institute in 2023. Members toured the ecology and cultural history exhibition hall and the outdoor areas, which features facilities including an eco-pond and a Chinese medical herbs garden. Members were also briefed by the Administration on policies regarding revitalisation and conservation of historic buildings, as well as the revitalisation and conservation process of the Institute.
Accompanied by the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, Members also visited the Long Valley Nature Park and the nearby Yin Kong Village to learn about the Government's efforts to promote urban-rural integration and ecological conservation in the NM. Members noted that, to promote urban-rural integration in the NM, the Governmentproposed establishing a $200 million "NM Urban-Rural Integration Fund" as a pilot scheme to support non-governmental organisations to take forward urban-rural integration projects, as well as piloting the relaxation of planning restrictions on "Village Type Development" in Yin Kong Village, allowing houses within the village to be converted into restaurants, retail shops or guesthouses, with a view to boosting economic activities in villages and tourism development.
Members welcomed the Administration's implementation of various measures to promote integration of villages and NDAs when planning the NDAs in the NM. They exchanged views with the representatives of the Government on how to assist villagers in retrofitting their houses for engaging in economic activities, as well as the infrastructure upgrading works, such as transport and sewerage, required to cope with the additional economic activities.
A total of 64 Members attended the visit. In addition to members of the Panel on Development, other non-members also attended.
Click here to watch the video highlight of today's visit.
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
