Schools offer Hongkongers a sporting chance by opening up facilities
Although those offering venues to community groups at weekends are still very much in the minority, things are beginning to change
In land-scarce Hong Kong, the community is always seeking innovative solutions to overcome the shortage of space. One way is to optimise the use of schools by opening up their playgrounds and sports facilities at weekends.
However, a 2016 study by Baptist University found that only 23 per cent of the 138 local secondary and primary schools surveyed open their sports venues to the public outside school hours, a figure that lags far behind many other places. But this has begun to change.
“Opening up School Facilities for Promotion of Sports Development Scheme” to further encourage public schools to allow people to access their sports facilities outside school hours. She also suggested a review of the promotion of sports development in schools to encourage participation.
The voluntary scheme, which was launched in October, is expected to run till the end of the current school year around July.