Hardware Indispensible To Sports Development: FS

Financial Secretary Paul Chan said on Sunday the government plans to improve existing sports facilities, saying they are essential to the development of physical recreation.

Writing on his weekly blog, Chan, who turned 68 on Saturday, revealed that he'd had his first taste of skateboarding last week. He said it was an "unforgettable" experience learning from Luk Chun-yin - who represented Hong Kong in skateboarding at the Asian Games - on the Kwun Tong Promenade.

"Although I was nervous while learning, I saw results as I persevered and wasn't afraid of difficulties," Chan said.

He said there are now plenty of urban sport facilities on offer, including over 120 five-a-side football pitches, nearly 30 sport climbing walls, skateboarding parks and other extreme-sport venues.

The finance chief also stressed that in his budget last month, he reserved resources to look into converting parts of the Kwun Chung Municipal Services Building in Jordan and nearby King George V Memorial Park into urban sport venues.

Feasibility studies on these projects are expected to be completed within this year.

Chan also noted a number of upcoming sports events as Hong Kong returns to normality following the Covid-19 pandemic, such as the rugby sevens later this month, the international dragon boat races and the Cyclothon.

He reiterated that the Tourism Board has reserved some HK$250 million to promote "mega tourism" events, including major sports tournaments.