Sports Training Programmes for Persons with Disabilities open for enrolment

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will hold the pilot scheme of sports training programmes designated for persons with disabilities (PWDs) from November this year to March 2019. Twenty-four training courses to be held for the participation of different types of PWDs are now open for enrolment free of charge.
 
     Tailor-made for persons with physical disability, intellectual disability, hearing impairment and visual impairment, the Sports Training Programmes for Persons with Disabilities will provide more opportunities for PWDs to take part in a wide variety of sports activities. With the professional advice provided by respective national sports associations of sports for PWDs, the contents of these courses are devised to suit the needs of PWDs. The types of sports training include badminton, bocce, floor hockey, table tennis, body-mind stretching and fitness exercise. Each participant can be accompanied by one carer for assistance during the courses.
 
     A spokesman for the LCSD said, "Through the systematic and professional sports training under this pilot scheme, these courses will help arouse the interest of PWDs to participate in sports activities, and enable them to experience the fun of sports while enhancing their physical and mental health."
 
     The prospectuses and enrolment forms of the training programmes can be downloaded from the Sports Training Programmes for Persons with Disabilities webpage under the LCSD's dedicated website for PWDs (Recreation & Sports Programmes/Facilities) at www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/dlso/sport_training.html. They are also available from the 18 District Leisure Services Offices or sports centres of the LCSD. For further enquiries, please call 2414 5555.
 
     Apart from these sports training programmes, the LCSD has also organised more recreation and sports programmes specifically for PWDs in various districts so as to encourage active participation by more PWDs. In addition, the department has launched the Pilot Scheme for Priority Booking of Facilities at Designated Venues by Organisations of People with Disabilities to give relevant organisations booking priority at four designated LCSD sports centres during non-peak slots. These designated venues, namely Chai Wan Sports Centre, Shun Lee Tsuen Sports Centre, Yuen Chau Kok Sports Centre and Yuen Long Sports Centre, are equipped with ancillary facilities suitable for PWDs. Details of the pilot scheme can be found at the LCSD's dedicated website for PWDs (Recreation & Sports Programmes/Facilities).