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Swimathon to give visually impaired a chance to display their talent and raise money
Organisers of  the Kingdom Swimathon for Brightness 2008 hope the event will allow visually impaired people to show their talent and raise money to help the blind.
Last year's competition raised about HK$2 million.
This year's swimathon, organised by the Hong Kong Blind Sports Association (HKBSA), will be held on October 19 at the Sham Shui Po public swimming pool.
The HKBSA, which was set up in April, provides systematic physical training for the blind.
Its aim is to serve Hong Kong's 75,000 visually impaired people, helping them to build up confidence and play a  more active role in society through sports.
Actor-singer Alex Fong Lik-sun will join other entertainers, sports stars, government officials and visually impaired swimmers at the pool next month. 'I'm very happy to be the ambassador of this meaningful event. I was once a swimmer so I fully understand the great fun and wonderful benefits enjoyed by people who take part in sports,' said Fong, who competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics before joining the entertainment scene.
'I would like to raise public awareness of sports and introduce the visually impaired to the fantastic world of sports.'
Besides raising funds for the blind, the organisers hope to set a new world record at the event for the most number of people taking part in a swimming relay within one hour.
A record 159 people joined last year's one-hour, 20-metre swimming relay.
'We would like to encourage the visually impaired to take up sports through this swimathon. I believe sports can help them stay healthy, both physically and mentally,' said HKBSA chairman Peter Sun Kwok-wah.
'In addition, the swimathon is a good platform to display their talent.'
The association hopes to organise more sports activities for the visually impaired, such as canoeing, golf and athletics, over the next few months.
The application deadline for the swimathon is October 5. The event comprises five divisions - primary school, junior and senior secondary school, public and corporate.
Participants should be in groups of four to six members.
For more information,  visit www.hkbsa.hk



Chance to rule the pool