The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will launch a new round of the Sports Training Programme for Persons with Disabilities from July this year. Seventy-two courses and 10 types of sports training will be organised to provide more opportunities for persons with disabilities to take part in a wide variety of sports activities free of charge.

     A spokesman for the LCSD said, "The programme, which was tailor-made for persons with physical disability, intellectual disability, hearing impairment and visual impairment, was held in seven districts on a pilot basis from November 2018 to March 2019. More types of sports training courses will be held in all 18 districts under the new round of the programme. The scope of the programme will also be expanded to include participation by persons with autism, ex-mentally ill persons and persons with chronic illness. Through systematic and professional sports training, these courses will help arouse the interest of persons with disabilities to participate in sports activities and enhance their physical and mental health."

     With professional advice provided by relevant national sports associations, these courses are devised to suit the needs of various types of disabilities. The 10 types of sports training include body-mind stretch, badminton, bocce, floor hockey, table tennis, fitness exercise, hydro fitness, wheelchair tennis, swimming and modern dance. Each participant can be accompanied by one carer for assistance during the courses. 

     Prospectuses and enrolment forms can be downloaded from the webpage of Sports Training Programme for Persons with Disabilities under the LCSD's dedicated website for persons with disabilities (Recreation and Sports Programmes/Facilities). They are also available from the 18 District Leisure Services Offices or sports centres of the LCSD. The programme is open for enrolment from May 17 as follows:
 
(1) enrol in person at any District Leisure Services Offices or recreation and sports venues with Leisure Link Services; or through Leisure Link Self-service Kiosks; or
(2) enrol by mail to the District Leisure Services Office organising the activity; or
(3) enrol through the Leisure Link Internet booking service or mobile Leisure Link e-Services System.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2414 5555.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 15) investigating a suspected food poisoning case related to the consumption of wild mushrooms, and urged the public not to pick and eat wild mushrooms.

     The case involves a 53-year-old female, who developed abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea about 13 hours after consuming wild mushrooms at home on May 13. She sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital today and was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital for further management. She is in a stable condition.
 
     Initial investigations revealed that the patient picked the wild mushrooms that she consumed from the roadside in Ma Yau Tong, Sai Kung, on May 13. The CHP's investigation is ongoing.

     "Members of the public should not pick wild mushrooms for consumption as it is difficult to distinguish edible mushroom species from inedible ones," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     "Mushroom poisoning is generally acute. Common presentations include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain appearing shortly after ingestion. Depending on the mushroom species, patients may also have other symptoms like profuse sweating, hallucinations, coma or other neurological symptoms, as well as liver failure. Death may result in severe cases," he added.

     "If mushroom poisoning is suspected, the patient should seek immediate medical attention and bring along any available remnant for identification," the spokesman said.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announces that a tender of 5-year Government Bonds through the re-opening of existing 10-year Government Bond issue 10GB2408 under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme was held today (May 15). 
      
     A total of HK$2.5 billion 5-year Government Bonds were offered today.  A total of HK$9.364 billion tender applications were received.  The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 3.75.  The average price accepted is 101.95, implying an annualised yield of 1.835%. 
     
HKSAR Government Institutional Bond Issuance Programme Government Bond Tender Results
———————————————————————————————————-

Tender results of re-opening of 10-year Government Bonds under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme:
 

* Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
     
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued today (May 15) a tentative issuance schedule for Exchange Fund Bills and Notes (EFBNs) for the coming quarter of July to September 2019. The schedule contains information on the tentative tender dates, tender sizes and issue dates of individual issues, representing rollover of maturing issues and taking into account planned adjustments to the maturity spectrum of the EFBNs portfolio.
      
     The quarterly schedule is issued in the second month of each quarter (i.e. February, May, August and November), covering the EFBNs tenders in the following quarter.
      
     It should be noted that the tender dates, tender sizes and issue dates projected in the advance issuance schedule are tentative. The details of new issues of Exchange Fund Bills are to be confirmed and announced at least four business days prior to the respective tender dates. The details of new issues of Exchange Fund Notes are to be confirmed and announced seven business days prior to their respective tender dates. The HKMA may make changes in the light of prevailing market conditions.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority published today (May 15) the credit card lending survey results for the first quarter of 2019.
      
     Total card receivables decreased by 6.2% in the first quarter to HK$129.5 billion at end-March 2019, after an increase of 9.7% in the previous quarter that was mainly driven by festive spending and salaries tax payment.
      
     The combined delinquent and rescheduled ratio edged up marginally to 0.32% at end-March 2019 from 0.31% at the previous quarter-end.
      
     The charge-off amount increased by HK$7 million during the quarter to HK$510 million, while the quarterly charge-off ratio remained stable at 0.38%.