The Hong Kong Jockey Club staged the 18 Districts Cup today (16 May) to mark the contributions made by District Councils and the Club’s community partners to community development. About 300 community leaders from the 18 Districts, including Legislative Councillors; Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the District Councils; and representatives from the Club’s community partners, joined together at Sha Tin Racecourse to celebrate their successful partnership with the Club.
Club Chairman Dr Simon Ip told guests during his welcome speech that 11 community projects, which are in line with the government’s administrative policies, have been jointly developed and implemented by the Club and its 13 community partners under the Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Partners Network formed last year. These projects are aimed at catering for different sectors of the community and range from youth development to elderly services. Topics covered include education, conservation, sports and culture, with target beneficiaries ranging from schools, to families, to the community at large.
Dr Ip added that the Club has been celebrating its 130th Anniversary with a wide range of programmes. These include the 130th Anniversary Community Elderly Lunches staged at Sha Tin Racecourse over the past two months to celebrate the achievements of the Club’s community services and which have been attended by elderly residents from districts across Hong Kong.
Dr Ip once again expressed the Club’s gratitude for the support provided by the District Councils and District Offices for the Community Elderly Lunches. “Looking forward, I hope we can keep working hand-in-hand with the District Councils and District Offices under the Home Affairs Bureau in showing our care for those in need and in the spirit of ‘Riding High Together for a Better Future’ with the people of Hong Kong,” Dr Ip added.
Under Secretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui was Guest of Honour at today’s event. In her speech she explained she was delighted to see how the 18 Districts Cup race meeting had developed into such an important event, enabling the Club and district organisations to exchange views on district issues and strengthen their relationships. She also praised the Club for its proactive participation in charitable causes and long-standing close ties with the community, as reflected in its support for projects undertaken by the 18 District Councils.
“I am pleased to see the formation of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Partners Network last year. Collaborative projects carried out by the Club and its community partners at different levels under the Community Partners Network have directly benefited a lot of people in need,” Hui said. The Home Affairs Bureau would continue to work hand-in-hand with the Club in district projects, Hui added.
The 18 Districts Cup, which was initiated in 2008, was staged for the eighth time this year. The Club hopes that this annual event can serve as a platform for the 18 District Councils, government departments and community leaders to exchange their views on district development. Through closer ties between the 18 Districts, it is hoped that new ideas can be generated to benefit the community.
Today’s raceday saw about 20,000 local residents and visitors turning out to support the sport of horse racing. John Size-trained Sun Jewellery ridden by Joao Moreira won the 18 Districts Cup.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2013/14, its donations reached a record $3.6 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,275 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$19.58 billion in 2013/14. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,800 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong. Please visit 130.hkjc.com.
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Club Chairman Dr Simon Ip said that looking forward, the Club hopes to keep working hand-in-hand with the District Councils and District Offices in showing their care to those in need and a£į?Riding High Together for a Better Futurea£į? with the people of Hong Konga£į?.
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Under Secretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui praised the Club for its proactive participation in charitable causes and for its close support for the community through projects undertaken by the 18 District Councils.
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Under Secretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui (9th left, front row), Club Chairman Dr Simon Ip (7th right, front row) and Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (8th left, front row) join representatives from the Cluba£į?s district partners under the Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Partners Network and its beneficiary organisations to pose for a group photo.
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Joining the group photo to wish for the success of the 18 Districts Cup are Under Secretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui (8th left, 2nd row); Club Chairman Dr Simon Ip (8th right, 2nd row); Deputy Chairman Anthony Chow (6th right, 2nd row); Stewards Lester Kwok (4th left, 2nd row), Michael Lee (5th right, 2nd row), Dr Rita Fan (3rd left, 2nd row), Dr Eric Li (2nd left, 2nd row) and Margaret Leung (4th right, 2nd row); Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (7th left, 2nd row); Legislative Councillor (District Council a£į”§ First) The Hon Ip Kwok-him (7th right, 2nd row); Duty Chairman of the 18 District Councils and Chairman of Yuen Long District Council The Hon Leung Che-cheung (6th left, 2nd row); Legislative Councillor (New Territories West) The Hon Ben Chan (5th left, 2nd row); Director General of Hong Kong Island Sub-Office of the Liaison Office of the Central Peoplea£į?s Government in the Hong Kong S.A.R. Wu Yang-wei (3rd right, 2nd row); Director General of Kowloon Sub-Office of the Liaison Office of the Central Peoplea£į?s Government in the Hong Kong S.A.R. He Jing (1st left, 2nd row); Director General of New Territories Sub-Office of the Liaison Office of the Central Peoplea£į?s Government in the Hong Kong S.A.R. Liu Lin (2nd right, 2nd row); Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the 18 District Councils; District Officers, Assistant District Officers; and Club Executive Director of Corporate Affairs Kim Mak (1st right, 2nd row).
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Photos 5, 6, 7, 8 The Club invited members from various district organisations, including kindergarten students, young people and representatives from ethnic minorities, to stage performances during the event, including a special drama, folk song and dancing, string and Chinese drumming.
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Under Secretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui (4th left, front row), Legislative Councillor (District Council a£į”§ First) The Hon Ip Kwok-him (1st left, front row); Duty Chairman of the 18 District Councils and Chairman of Yuen Long District Council The Hon Leung Che-cheung (2nd left, front row), accompanied by Club Chairman Dr Simon Ip (3rd left, front row), CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (1st right, back row) and Stewards, present the 18 Districts Cup to the winner.
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Legislative Councillor (District Council a£į”§ First) The Hon Ip Kwok-him (right) presents the Best Turned Out Horse award to the Stables Assistant responsible for Kynam.
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