City's sport funding will continue, says Financial Secretary John Tsang
Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah has promised the government will continue pumping resources into developing sport and training top athletes.
In a piece posted on his official blog yesterday, Tsang praised the performances of Hongkongers in the London Olympics.
Citing fencer Leung Ka-ming as an example, Tsang praised him for fighting a good battle despite facing the Italian world champion, Paolo Pizzo. Leung, who ranked 278 places below Pizzo, lost.
Reviewing the government's efforts to promote sport over the past few years, Tsang highlighted the HK$3 billion injected into the Arts and Sport Development Fund, the setting up of a HK$7 billion Elite Athletes Development Fund, and funding of almost HK$250 million for sports associations.
Hopes are high that Hong Kong cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze's bronze medal in the women's keirin will inspire more people to take up sport. The last time Hong Kong won an Olympic medal was in 2004.
Meanwhile, Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing left for London yesterday to cheer on Hong Kong athletes who are taking part in the 2012 Paralympic Games.
He also hopes to promote cultural and sporting exchanges between Hong Kong and Britain in a series of meetings before he returns home next Saturday.
On his official blog yesterday, the home affairs secretary took the opportunity to encourage more people to take part in sport.
