LCSD Holds "Sports Fun For All cum Asian Games Focal Site Launching Ceremony"

LCSD holds "Sports Fun For All cum Asian Games Focal Site Launching Ceremony"

With the 20th Asian Games running from today (September 19) to October 4, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) held the "Sports Fun For All cum Asian Games Focal Site Launching Ceremony" today at the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre, launching the "Asian Games Focal Site" and commencing the "Sports Fun for All" sports days.

The Hong Kong, China Delegation has sent some 580 athletes to compete in 38 sports in the Asian Games. The Asian Games focal sites at designated sports centres across the 18 districts are open from 5pm to 8pm today, and thereafter from 8am to 9pm daily up to October 4. Members of the public are welcome to watch the Games there and cheer for the athletes of the country and Hong Kong, China.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, said the LCSD had set up the Asian Games focal sites at designated sports centres in the 18 districts. He invited members of the public to cheer for the athletes at the focal sites, and take part in the sports days to experience the spirit of "Sports Fun for All" as well as the Asian Games atmosphere.

At the ceremony, the audience enjoyed a fitness exercise performance, skill demonstrations of the "three major ball games" (volleyball, football and basketball) and exchanges with renowned athletes. The video of the ceremony, details of the locations and opening arrangements of the Asian Games focal sites, and a series of introductory videos of Asian Games sports are available at the dedicated website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/agfs/index.html).

The LCSD will also organise six "Sports Fun for All" sports days from September to December with the "three major ball games" as the theme. The first sports day, with volleyball as the focus, was held today. The other five sports days will take place in different districts. Admission is free. Walk-in participation is welcome. For details, please visit the dedicated website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/tsd/2026/index.html).

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department held the "Sports Fun For All cum Asian Games Focal Site Launching Ceremony" at the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre today (September 19). Photo shows athletes demonstrating freestyle football skills. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department held the "Sports Fun For All cum Asian Games Focal Site Launching Ceremony" at the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre today (September 19). Photo shows children demonstrating basketball skills. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department held the "Sports Fun For All cum Asian Games Focal Site Launching Ceremony" at the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre today (September 19). Photo shows former swimming athlete Sze Hang-yu (left) and table tennis athlete Lee Ho-ching (centre) sharing their experiences on stage. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department held the "Sports Fun For All cum Asian Games Focal Site Launching Ceremony" at the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre today (September 19). Photo shows former China women's volleyball team captain Sun Yue (second right) demonstrating light volleyball skills. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department held the "Sports Fun For All cum Asian Games Focal Site Launching Ceremony" at the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre today (September 19). Photo shows the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau speaking at the Launching Ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department held the "Sports Fun For All cum Asian Games Focal Site Launching Ceremony" at the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre today (September 19). Photo shows the fitness exercise performance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) held the "Sports Fun For All cum Asian Games Focal Site Launching Ceremony" at the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre today (September 19). Photo shows the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau (centre); the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan (fourth left); the Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Leisure Services), Miss Winnie Chui (fourth right); the Assistant Director (Leisure Services) of LCSD, Ms Camay Lee (third left); former China women's volleyball team captain Sun Yue (third right); former swimming athlete Sze Hang-yu (second left), and table tennis athlete Lee Ho-ching (second right), officiating at the ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD reminds public to comply with regulations when bringing dogs out for dining during Mid-Autumn Festival

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 22) reminded members of the public that if they plan to bring their dogs along when dining out to celebrate the festival, they should first confirm whether the restaurant concerned is permitted to allow the entry of dogs, and comply with the relevant regulations. At present, over 990 restaurants hold permits allowing dogs to enter. Persons-in-charge of such restaurants should also ensure that their premises comply with the relevant licensing conditions and statutory requirements, and step up supervision and reminders for customers bringing dogs to safeguard diners' safety and public hygiene.

An FEHD spokesman said that both restaurant operators and dog owners have the responsibility to comply with the relevant regulations. Non-permitted restaurants must abide by the law and must not allow customers to bring dogs into their premises; members of the public who bring dogs into non-permitted food premises also commit an offence.

The spokesman added that since the measure of allowing dogs to enter permitted restaurants was implemented on July 9, the FEHD has been assisting all parties in complying with the relevant regulations through ongoing inspections, publicity and education. Following the conclusion of the initial one-month adaptation period, the department has adopted a pragmatic and flexible enforcement strategy, conducting inspections based on risk assessments, with a view to striking a proper balance between promoting pet inclusivity and safeguarding food safety and public hygiene. Regarding non-permitted restaurants which unlawfully allow dogs to enter, the FEHD has so far instituted a total of 20 prosecutions against the offending non-permitted restaurants, and a total of seven prosecutions against individuals unlawfully bringing dogs into non-permitted restaurants. Furthermore, the FEHD has also taken stern enforcement action against serious non-compliant behaviour by customers bringing dogs inside permitted restaurants, including instituting two prosecutions for failing to securely hold dogs on leashes during the adaptation period.

The spokesman reiterated that permitted restaurants must strictly comply with the law and licensing conditions, which include prohibiting open-flame cooking on dining tables, denying entry of fighting dogs or known dangerous dogs to the restaurants, and denying dogs access to food rooms. The FEHD will take decisive enforcement action if violations are found.

The FEHD once again appealed to restaurants and customers to abide by the law and regulations, earnestly fulfil their respective responsibilities, maintain a good dining environment and public hygiene, and jointly promote pet inclusivity. Members of the public can visit the FEHD dedicated webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/dog_restaurants/dog_restaurants_list.html) to view relevant information and the detailed list of permitted restaurants.

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 22) reminded members of the public that if they plan to bring their dogs along when dining out to celebrate the festival, they should first confirm whether the restaurant concerned is permitted to allow the entry of dogs, and comply with the relevant regulations. Photo shows an FEHD officer distributing promotional leaflets to a dog owner, reminding her to comply with regulations when bringing her dog out for dining. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 22) reminded members of the public that if they plan to bring their dogs along when dining out to celebrate the festival, they should first confirm whether the restaurant concerned is permitted to allow the entry of dogs, and comply with the relevant regulations. Photo shows FEHD officers distributing promotional leaflets to dog owners, reminding them to comply with regulations when bringing dogs out for dining. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases