The 9th Hong Kong Games' Jockey Club Vitality Run was held alongside the Shing Mun River in Sha Tin this morning (March 3). More than 5 000 people took part in the event to share the fun of sports as a prelude to the upcoming 9th Hong Kong Games (HKG).

     The Jockey Club Vitality Run has been well received by the public since it was first held in 2015. The event, with an emphasis on challenging oneself rather than racing for awards, encourages people to exercise more, thereby promoting a "sport for all" culture in the community. Today's participants could enjoy the fun of running, while at the same time show their support for district athletes who are gearing up for the 9th HKG competitions.

     The two categories of the Vitality Run, namely the about-3-kilometre run and the 10-kilometre run, both started at Yuen Wo Road (near Yuen Wo Playground). Each participant received a souvenir T-shirt and other souvenirs, while those who completed the run within the time limit received an e-certificate and a souvenir medal. Participants dressed up to compete for the individual Most Creative Costume Prize and the Overall Best Team Costume Prize, with each prize having a champion, a first runner-up and a second runner-up. Their creative and colourful costumes boosted the joyful atmosphere of the event.

     A number of people also took part in the event by cheering for the runners along Yuen Wo Road, beside the Shing Mun River and at Sha Tin Sports Ground. A carnival with stage performances, game booths on new sports, a sports interactive game zone with a combination of multimedia and virtual reality technology, and a photo corner, etc, were set up at Yuen Wo Playground so that participants of the Vitality Run and other members of the public could enjoy the fun of sports.

     The HKG is a territory-wide major multi-sport event held biennially with the 18 districts as participating units. The inter-district sports competitions of the 9th HKG will be held between April 21 and June 9 this year, covering eight sports, namely athletics, badminton, 3-on-3 basketball, futsal, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. The sports competitions for people with disabilities include wheelchair 3-on-3 basketball and boccia; and those for people with intellectual disability include swimming and table tennis.

     The Urban Sports Demonstration Competitions are introduced in the 9th HKG to promote four sports items including breaking, sports climbing, skateboarding and women's futsal. The demonstration competitions will be held between April 27 and May 4.

     Apart from the sports competitions, a range of community participation programmes will also be organised for the general public. They can vote for "My Favourite Sporty District" and guess the "Overall Champion of the 9th HKG". Photography enthusiasts can take pictures of the exciting scenes of sports competitions and activities of the 9th HKG to participate in the "Dynamic Moments Photo Contest".

     The opening ceremony of the 9th HK Games will be held at the Hong Kong Coliseum on April 21. Free admission tickets will be distributed at the District Leisure Services Offices of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) from April 2.

     The Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Joe Wong, officiated at the starting ceremony of the event. Other officiating guests included the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; the Chairman of the 9th HKG Organising Committee, Professor Patrick Yung; the Executive Manager, Charities (Sports & Institute of Philanthropy) of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms Donna Tang; and the Honorary Treasurer of the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates, Ms Irene Chan.

     The 9th HKG is organised by the Sports Commission and co-ordinated by its Community Sports Committee, with the Home Affairs Department, the LCSD, the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, and the relevant National Sports Associations of the sports competitions as co-organisers. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is the major sponsor of the event.

     Details about the 9th HKG are available at the dedicated website.

                

     ​Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (March 3):
 
Reporter: Can you recap in English about how would the Government ensure the construction projects of Fung Cheung Kee to carry on even though it winded up, and also on Kau Yi Chau, how do you ensure that the Government will kick-off the project by mid-2026?
 
Secretary for Development: On your first question about this contractor Fung Cheung Kee, actually it is not an active participant in our public works projects, so currently we do not have any on-going projects on hand being undertaken by this company. So as far as our public works projects are concerned, there are no implications.
 
     On your second question regarding the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands, while the Government will put back the original target year of starting reclamation by the end of 2025, it is still our determination to press ahead with the project and do well all the necessary preparatory works. We are still striving to start the reclamation works within the current term of Government. So with that in mind, in the course of this year, we will progressively complete our environmental assessment impact report and then have it submitted and have the statutory process triggered. We will also be commencing a number of detailed works design studies to get ourselves prepared. And with more technical and engineering information on hand, we will be in a better position to assess the phasing of this mega project and the financing arrangement for the different phases and for the entire project.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:

     The Liquor Licensing Board will meet on Tuesday (March 5) to consider three applications for new issue and renewal of liquor licences.
      
     The applications are (not in order of discussion): 
 
Hong Kong:
—————
OLD CHINA HAND in Sheung Wan

New Territories:
—————
SPICY BBQ KING in Tsuen Wan
"Wing Loi Lau" in Yuen Long

     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (March 3) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Big Wave Bay Beach and Stanley Main Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (March 3) reminded the public, particularly the elderly and people with chronic illnesses, to adopt appropriate measures to protect their health in view of the cold weather.

     A spokesman for the CHP said that cold weather can easily trigger or exacerbate diseases, especially among the elderly and persons suffering from heart disease, respiratory illness or other chronic illnesses.

     "Elderly people have less insulating fat beneath their skin to keep them warm and their body temperature control mechanism may be weaker. Their body may not be able to appropriately respond to the cold weather," the spokesman said.

     Some senior persons may have decreased mobility, which can in turn impair their ability to generate and conserve body heat. Chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes and endocrine disorders may undermine the health of elderly people and lower their metabolic rate, subsequently causing their body to generate less heat. Persons with chronic illnesses such as chronic respiratory illnesses or heart disease are vulnerable to disease aggravation due to cold weather.

     The CHP reminded the public, in particular the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses, to adopt the following preventive measures:
 

• Take note of the weather forecast. Wear warm clothing, including hats, scarves, gloves and socks accordingly;
• Consume sufficient food to ensure adequate calorie intake;
• Perform regular exercise to facilitate blood circulation and heat production;
• Stay in a warm environment and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure;
• Use heaters with care, and maintain adequate indoor ventilation; and
• Seek medical advice if feeling unwell.

     In addition, the public should avoid alcoholic beverages.

     "Drinking alcohol cannot keep you warm. Alcohol accelerates the loss of body heat through dilated blood vessels, resulting in chilling instead," the spokesman said.

     "Parents should ensure that babies are sufficiently warm, but it is also important to keep babies relatively lightly clothed to avoid overheating them," the spokesman added.

     Parents should observe the following safety measures when putting their children to bed:  

• Keep the room well ventilated and at a comfortable temperature;
• Always place babies on their back to sleep. Leave their head, face and arms uncovered during sleep;
• Babies do not need pillows. Place babies on a firm and well-fitted mattress to sleep. Avoid soft objects, pillows and loose bedding;
• Let babies sleep in a cot placed in the parents' room and near their bed; and
• Maintain a smoke-free environment.

 
     In addition, seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive seasonal influenza vaccination early. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP's website.
      
     A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. Influenza vaccination may reduce the likelihood of hospitalisation and the length of stay. It is important for elderly persons, especially those residing in residential care homes, to receive both seasonal influenza vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination. They should also receive an additional booster against COVID-19 according to recommendations as soon as possible. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against respiratory illnesses and note the following:
 

• Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

    
     Food-borne diseases, particularly those linked to hot pot cuisine, are also common in cold weather. The following preventive measures should be taken:
 

• Wash hands before handling and consuming food;
• Do not patronise unlicensed vendors or those with poor hygienic standards while selecting food;
• Wash and cook all food thoroughly;
• Vegetables should be washed thoroughly in clean running water before cooking and consumption. When appropriate, scrub vegetables with hard surfaces with a clean brush to remove dirt and substances, including pesticide residues and contaminants, from the surface and crevices;
• Shrimps should be fully cooked until the shells turn red and the flesh turns white and opaque;
• For shellfish such as scallops and geoduck, scrub the shells thoroughly and remove internal organs;
• Most hot pot ingredients should be stored in a refrigerator at 4 degrees Celsius or below, while frozen food should be stored in a freezer at -18 degrees C or below;
• Never use raw eggs as a dipping sauce for hot pot; and
• Use different sets of chopsticks to handle raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination.

     In addition, when using fuel-burning appliances, especially in indoor areas, the public should ensure adequate ventilation to avoid harmful exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and prevent CO poisoning.

     For more health information, the public may call the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) or visit the CHP's website and Facebook Fanpage.

     The public may also call Dial-a-Weather (1878 200) or visit the website of the Hong Kong Observatory for the latest weather information and forecast, or its page on Weather Information for Senior Citizens.