Sports explosion shakes up HK

Parents shedding their reluctance to allow children to take part and Sars fears have seen phenomenal change

Outside of the July 1 demonstrations, this morning's Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon rates as probably the biggest single public participatory event in Hong Kong. The growth of numbers in this event is astounding - from 1,000 entries in 1997 to nearly 31,000 this year.

Even more impressive is this is only one expression of a major change in society in the past few years - there have never been so many people taking an active part in sport.

The evidence of this is widespread. For example, two of the sports I have close involvement with, triathlon and rugby, have shown massive growth in the period from 2000 to 2004. The most impressive thing is the increase in the number of clubs or teams as the fundamental unit for the growth.

The more clubs that are formed the less dependent that sport becomes on the National Sports Association (NSA) and the more firmly rooted it is in the community. With the growth of clubs there are more leaders, organisers, coaches and supporters. The catalyst for further growth and success is now firmly established. One of the noticeable side effects is that people taking part in these clubs are really enjoying themselves.

The other outstanding feature is that parents and children are taking part together. The traditional reluctance of parents letting their children take part in sports, as this detracts from study, appears to be breaking down.