But, on the field, the club amassed not riches, but an unbeatable tally of 35 points from 18 events - nearly twice the score of its closest rival.

Trailing far behind in the annual competition was the GYM with 19 points. But considering the Central fitness centre was making its competition debut, and could enter only six of the 18 events because of its relatively small staff numbers, it was an impressive score - and one the team is determined to improve.

'Next year, we are going for gold,' a team spokesman said, throwing down the gauntlet for a return challenge.

Hongkong Bank's sports and recreation administrator Steve Cheung said: 'We have done it again.

'Actually, we got the most points last year as well, but there was no trophy for the overall champion then. Last year, we were unofficial champions. This year, it is official.' Official, but perhaps not surprising, since Wayfoong is probably the biggest sports club in Hong Kong, with more than 10,000 members.

Like the urban and regional councils, which jointly organised this year's games, the bank stands firmly by its policy that staff who play together, stick together.

That is why membership to the Wayfoong club, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is only $2 to $6 a month, depending on the applicant's salary.

As part of a policy of keeping fit and in good health - endorsed by the organising councils - the bank even retains a full-time department to co-ordinate recreational events for its staff of 13,000.

'Sports and recreation is an important function in a commercial firm,' Mr Cheung said.

'Our main objective is to make a profit but, through this, we see staff working more happily together. When they join teams, they become friends.' They also stayed healthy, which was what the urban and regional councils were promoting, not only with the Corporate Games, but through a host of other leisure activities organised throughout the year.

'We want people of all ages from all walks of life to enjoy sports and get physical exercise,' Urban Council spokesman, Angela Sin, said. 'Keeping fit means keeping healthy.' For the 9,000 employees who took part in the Corporate Games, keeping fit meant taking part in a hectic schedule of competitions staged over the past three months.

They contested traditional sports such as swimming, soccer, badminton, tennis, table tennis, running and squash. There were also activities for the adventurous, including orienteering and a water carnival, while the less athletic competed at darts, snooker, angling, chess and ten-pin bowling.

The final event, a 'telematch' of numerous games at Wan Chai Sports Ground, was contested by 800 employees from 54 companies. It was followed by a comical finale - a smaller-scale 'telematch' between urban and regional councillors, together with artistes from Cable Television.

'Their enthusiasm again demonstrated that the games had achieved their aim - to promote sportsmanship and team spirit and foster among employees a strong sense of belonging to their corporations,' Ms Sin said.

This was certainly apparent in the Wayfoong camp, which had looked particularly dominant in both track and field and swimming events.

One 'secret weapon' for the bank was a new female member who recently joined a branch in Yuen Long. She won three gold medals in the pool and became a celebrity.

A tie was declared for third place in the games, which was shared between the Cathay Pacific Sports and REcreation Club and its old rivals, China Light and Power, with 15 points each. In fourth place was Yee Hope (Garment Quota) Consultants.