To highlight The Hong Kong Jockey Club's close working partnerships with the 18 District Councils and the many contributions made by district organisations to community life, the Club staged its annual 18 Districts Cup meeting today (2 June).
Special to the event this year was the staging of the Hong Kong: Our Home Cup, paying tribute to the citywide public participation campaign launched by the Government in April with the aims of injecting positive energy into society, fostering social cohesion and promoting care, mutual help and solidarity in the community.
Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam was Guest of Honour at today's event, enjoying the sporting excitement at Sha Tin Racecourse with more than 200 Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the 18 Districts, as well as community leaders.
Addressing the guests at a pre-race luncheon, Club Chairman T. Brian Stevenson said the Club appreciated very much the relationship with the districts. “We know how important the districts are to the functioning of Hong Kong, and we know that the government certainly works very much through the districts. We are keen on strengthening our relations with the districts.”
It was highly appropriate for the Club to stage the Hong Kong: Our Home Cup on the same day as the 18 Districts Cup Raceday, Mr Stevenson added, “we are very pleased that today raceday is specially listed under the “Vibrant Hong Kong” theme which covers government's major culture, sports and recreational activities that promote the vibrancy and diversity of Hong Kong.”
Today's sixth annual staging of the 18 Districts Cup also gave District Councils, Government departments and community groups a valuable opportunity to meet and exchange experiences of community development projects, as well as to formulate new ideas for mutual co-operation.
Making the raceday extra special this year was an exhibition and performances jointly staged by the Club and its district partners at Sha Tin Racecourse, each echoing one of the four supporting themes of the “Hong Kong: Our Home” campaign.
Under “Fresh Hong Kong", there were displays of intricate art pieces crafted by the Club's farriers from used horseshoes and creative decorations made by Hong Chi Association interns from old glass bottles. Meanwhile, the themes of “Vibrant Hong Kong”, “Hip Hong Kong” and “Caring Hong Kong” were represented by performing groups from three district organisations, comprising the elderly, young people and residents of ethnic minority background. Their traditional and street dances added further positive energy to this memorable sporting occasion.
The 18 Districts Cup Raceday has an attendance of over 20,000 to support the sport of horse racing. Jamesina trained by David Ferraris and Legend Express from Ricky Yiu Stable won the Hong Kong: Our Home Cup and the 18 Districts Cup respectively.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world’s leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.7 billion in 2012. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong’s single largest by far, generating over HK$16 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.
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Club Chairman T. Brian Stevenson says the Club greatly values its long-term partnership with the 18 Districts and is keen to make these relationships even closer and stronger.
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Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam (1st row, seventh from left), Club Chairman T. Brian Stevenson (1st row, seventh from right), Club Stewards Anthony W K Chow (1st row, fourth from left), Philip N L Chen (1st row, fourth from right), Stephen Ip Shu-kwan (1st row, third from left), Dr Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai (1st row, third from right), Dr Eric Li Ka-cheung (1st row, second from left), The Hon Martin C K Liao (1st row, second from right), Legislative Councillor Ip Kwok-him (1st row, sixth from right) and Leung Che-cheung (1st row, sixth from left), Director of Home Affairs Pamela Tan (1st row, fifth from left), Chairman of the Ping Wo Fund Yau Wing-kwong (1st row, fifth from right) and representatives of the 18 District Councils toast the success of the Hong Kong: Our Home Cup and 18 Districts Cup.
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Photos 3 & 4:
The Sha Tin Choir welcomes guests and visitors to the race meeting with the theme song of the a£á?Hong Kong: Our Homea£á? campaign, a£á?Sail Ona£á?.
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Photos 5, 6, 7 & 8:
The exhibition of art pieces "upcycled" from used horseshoes and old glass bottles, along with myriad street and ethnic dance performances by the elderly, young people and residents of ethnic minority background, portray theme of a£á?Fresha£á?, a£á?Vibranta£á?, a£á?Hipa£á? and a£á?Caringa£á? of the a£á?Hong Kong: Our Homea£á? campaign.
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Some 200 guests from 18 District Councils, community organisations and Government departments enjoy the racing action at the annual 18 Districts Cup meeting in Sha Tin Racecourse.
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Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam (1st row, third from right), Director of Home Affairs Pamela Tan (1st row, second from right), Member of Betting and Lotteries Commission Stephen Yau How-boa (1st row, first from right), Member of The Ping Wo Fund Yu Sau-chu (1st row, third from left), pose with other guests.
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Club Steward Dr Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai (fourth from left), Vice Chairman of Wong Tai Sin District Council Dr Wong Kam-chiu (first from left), Chairman of Central & Western District Council Yip Wing-shing (second from left), Chairman of Sham Shui Po District Council Jimmy Kwok Chun-wah (third from left), Member of Legislative Council (District Council-First) The Hon Ip Kwok-him (third from right) pose with other guests.
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From left: Chairman of Central & Western District Council Yip Wing-shing, Duty Chairman of the 18 District Councils and Chairman of Sha Tin District Council Ho Hau-cheung, Club Steward Philip N L Chen, Chairman of Sham Shui Po District Council Jimmy Kwok Chun-wah, and Member of Legislative Council (District Council-First) The Hon Ip Kwok-him.
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Club Stewards Anthony W K Chow (third from right), Dr Eric Li Ka-cheung (second from right), Chairman of Culture, Recreation, Community Services and Housing Committee of Yuen Long District Council Daniel Cham Ka-hung (third from left), Duty Chairman of the 18 District Councils and Chairman of Kwun Tong District Council Bunny Chan Chung-bun (fourth from left) pose with other guests.
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From left: Club Steward The Hon Martin C K Liao, Chairman of Kwai Tsing District Council Fong Ping and Chairman of The Ping Wo Fund Dr Yau Wing-kwong.
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Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam and Director of Home Affairs Pamela Tan pose with members from The Jockey Club CADENZA Hub
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From left: Club Steward Stephen Ip Shu-kwan, Director of Home Affairs Pamela Tan and Member of Legislative Council (District Council-First) The Hon Ip Kwok-him.
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From left: Club Chairman T. Brian Stevenson, Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam and Club Corporate Affairs Executive Director Kim Mak visit the booth of art pieces a£á?upcycleda£á? from old glass bottles.
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Chairman T. Brian Stevenson (fifth from right), Director of Home Affairs Pamela Tan (sixth from left) and other guests pose with the minority dance performers.
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