Major Sports Events Committee awards "M" Mark status to three events
The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded "M" Mark status to the Link Hong Kong Open 2026 (October 22 to 25), the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2026 (October 30 to November 1) and the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026 (October 31 to November 8).
The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (October 15), "We are very pleased to award 'M' Mark status to these three high-level international sports events. Covering golf, cricket, and tennis, these events will gather world-class players to compete for honours in Hong Kong. From the Fanling Golf Course of the Hong Kong Golf Club and the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground, to the exciting showdowns at the Victoria Park Centre Court, these major events fully demonstrate Hong Kong's outstanding capability in hosting diverse international competitions. These events will not only bring extraordinary spectating experiences to local residents and visiting tourists, but also further consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international sports event capital."
The "M" Mark System aims to encourage and help local National Sports Associations and private or non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be considered for "M" Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events. The "M" Mark System aims to promote the development of major sports events, cultivate a sustainable sporting culture, enhance Hong Kong's image as a centre for major international sports events and bring tangible economic benefits to the community.
For details of "M" Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk.
Source: AI-found images
Property owner fined $100,000 for not complying with removal and repair orders
An owner was fined $100,000 yesterday (October 14) upon conviction at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on July 29 for failing to comply with a removal order and a repair order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).
The case involved alteration of units into mini-storages in an industrial building on Texaco Road, Tsuen Wan. As the alteration and addition works were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), and they obstructed the means of escape and means of access for firefighting and rescue, contravening the Building (Planning) Regulations, a removal order and a repair order were served on the owner under section 24(1) and section 26 of the BO respectively. Failing to comply with the statutory orders, the owner was prosecuted by the BD.
A spokesman for the BD said today (October 15), "Unauthorised alteration works causing obstruction to the means of escape and means of access for firefighting and rescue, or affecting the fire-resistant construction of a building may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders and repair orders without delay. The BD will continue to take stringent enforcement action against owners who fail to comply with removal orders and repair orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building and public safety."
Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues. Moreover, failure to comply with a repair order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of level 5 ($50,000 at present) and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $5,000 for each day that the offence continues.
Source: AI-found images
