Corporate News

Inaugural 18 Districts Cup recognises District Councils' contributions to community

1 June 2008

Saluting the important roles and contributions of Hong Kong's 18 District Councils and local organisations in community affairs, The Hong Kong Jockey Club staged the first 18 Districts Cup race at Sha Tin today, 1 June. Speaking at the event, Club Chairman John C C Chan said the Club, as a socially responsible corporate member of the community, hoped the Club and the District Councils would develop longer-term and more intimate relationships in future, joining hands to benefit society.

More than 180 District Council members, as well as representatives from district organisations and sports associations, attended this inaugural event. Mr Chan told the guests that the Club had always placed great emphasis on maintaining a good partnership with the districts.  As the largest charitable organisation in Hong Kong, the Club had donated more than HK$1 billion a year over the past decade to support and fund education, medical, social welfare, recreational and cultural facilities in different districts, he noted. The summer youth programmes and the building of parks and sports grounds in the districts were good examples.

"Our horse racing activities are another key example of the Club's close association with the community," Chan said, adding that horse racing was not only a popular sport but also an important pastime among local residents. He said that horse racing in Hong Kong was now ranked among the best in the world and the city!|s two racecourses and their facilities were of world class. "The Club is very proud of being the venue provider for the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events," he commented. "Its pride comes from both Hong Kong people's enthusiasm for horse racing and the community's generous support to the Club".

Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Carrie Yau said the Club was a valuable resource of the Hong Kong community and it had always been supportive of district work. Either through its charitable or employment projects, the Club worked closely with district members to launch projects meeting the genuine needs of each district, she said. The Government hoped the Club and local community would join hands to promote community development and strengthen their co-operation.  

Mr Chan also said they hoped the Club and district members could further strengthen their co-operation so as to develop a longer-term and closer relationship in the areas of sports, recreation and culture, education and social services.


Photo 1:
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman John C C Chan welcomes the Guest of Honour of the 18 Districts Cup Carrie Yau, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs of the HKSAR.


Photo 2:
Noting the close partnership between the Club and the districts, Club Chairman John C C Chan says the Club believes that beneficiary measures for local residents should be rooted in their own communities.


Photo 3:
Attendees of the 18 Districts Cup toast a successful first staging of the event.


Photo 4:
More than 180 district representatives attend the 18 Districts Cup function.

 

 

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