Tag Archives: Ho

Hong Kong: East Asian Games can only get bigger and better

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The following is issued on behalf of the 2009 East Asian Games (HK) Limited:

When the 1st East Asian Games were launched on May 9-18, 1993 in Shanghai there were only 12 sports, attracting 1,283 athletes to compete for the 170 gold medals at stake.

The same nine nations participating in this years 5th East Asian Games – China, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Macau and Guam – were also involved.

The 12 sports on the programme were aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, bowling, boxing, football, gymnastics, judo, rowing, weight-lifting and wushu. Soft tennis was introduced as a demonstration sport.

China, which had been flexing its muscles for some time in the world of sport, quite naturally walked away with 105 gold, 74 silver and 34 bronze. Hong Kongs first and only gold medal went to rower Ho Kim-fai.

Exactly four years later, it was the turn of Korea to play host and 13 events were organised in the port city of Pusan. With the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea deciding to give the Games a miss, Kazakhstan was invited to take their place.

And they did surprisingly well, taking home 24 of the 190 gold medals on offer. Again, it was China that stormed to the top of the table with 62 gold, Japan had 47, just edging out host Korea who had two less. Hong Kong did go away with the customary sole gold.

At the Pusan Games, bowling was relegated to an exhibition sport while soft tennis and taekwondo were introduced as competition events.

When the 3rd East Asian Games opened in Osaka, Japan, in May 2001, the number of sports had grown to 15. Badminton was excluded and replaced by bowling and the addition of handball, for the first and last time.

The Japanese also decided to relegate rowing to a demonstration sport and hockey made its first appearance as a demonstration event.

Australia was invited to participate as a non-member and a record 2,804 athletes turned up for the nine-day event. Again, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea was absent and Kazakhstan continued to fill their spot.

Hong Kong came to these Games as Hong Kong, China – the first time after the handover – and went away with a surprising three gold, one silver and three bonze. Even Macau managed to win its first-ever gold laurel.

The quadrennial Games next moved to Macau, China, and were staged in the autumnal months of October and November. By now, the number of sports had reached new heights V 17 in all, with the debut of dragon boat, dance sport, tennis, karate-do, hockey and shooting as competition events.

Dropped from the list were badminton, boxing, wrestling, volleyball and judo. However, rowing made a return.

China again showed its supremacy at these Games with a haul of 223 medals – 127 of which were gold. Hong Kong managed to bag 13, two of them gold. Host Macau did extremely well with 11 gold.

The Macau Games will go into the record books as Chinas Yang Lian lifted a stunning 117kg in the womens 48kg clean and jerk competition to set a new world record.

The spotlight will now be turned on Hong Kong where 22 events V 16 of them Olympic competitions V have been organised. Dropped from the programme are dragon boat and karate-do and replaced by rugby sevens, windsurfing, squash, table-tennis, cue sport, cycling and the return of badminton.

There are no marks for guessing which country will walk away with the biggest haul, but one thing is for sure, while the usual galaxy of star athletes will dazzle, novas will explode on the Hong Kong horizon. Whether new heights will be reached will be known at the end of each days competition. The stage and playing fields are all ready for Hong Kongs biggest ever sporting get-together. Let the show begin…

Hong Kong: EAGA-flag bearers and oath-taking representatives announced

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The following is issued on behalf of the 2009 East Asian Games (Hong Kong) Limited:

In response to media enquiries on the East Asian Games Association (EAGA)-flag bearers of the 2009 East Asian Games (EAG) Opening Ceremony, the EAG (Hong Kong) Company today (December 1) announced the lists of EAGA-flag bearers and oath-taking representatives as follows:

There are a total of eight EAGA-flag bearers. They are: Wan Kin-yee (athletics), Chung Hoi-yuk (badminton), Wu Siu-hong (bowling), Ho Kim-fai (rowing), Sherry Tsai Hiu-wai (swimming), Li Fai (wushu), Chan Mei-ling (judo) and Wong Fai (shooting).

There are two oath-taking representatives. Li Ching (table tennis) will take the oath on behalf of athletes while Gary Au Yeung Kwok-kei (tennis) will represent referees.

A spokesman for the EAG Company said that all the EAGA-flag bearers are medal winners of previous East Asian Games. They are nominated by their respective National Sports Associations (NSA) and the sports of these NSAs are current EAG sports.

As for the two oath-taking representatives, the spokesman said that Li Ching was a Hong Kong athlete participating in this EAG and had outstanding achievements in sports. Gary Au Yeung Kwok-kei is a Hong Kong referee of this EAG. He is a veteran and have served as referee in many large-scale international events.

Hong Kong: Convictions of making false statement to claim MPF benefits

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The following is issued on behalf of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority:

Two scheme members of Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) Scheme were convicted today (December 1) and fined $13,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistracy for breaching section 43E(1) of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (the Ordinance) by making false and misleading statement in a document submitted to the approved MPF trustee.

The defendants, Ho Shu Yau and Chui Lai Hing were charged with the offences under Section 43E(1) of the Ordinance for making false and misleading statement to the trustee and were fined $7,000 and $6,000 respectively.

According to the prosecution, the defendants applied to their trustees on August 13, 2008 and December 22, 2008 respectively for early withdrawal of their MPF accrued benefits on the ground of permanent departure. Investigation by the MPFA found that the defendants had recklessly provided false and misleading statements in claiming that they had not previously claimed payment of accrued benefits on the ground of permanent departure on an earlier departure date.

Meanwhile, five employers were fined $113,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistracy today, after being convicted of offences under the Ordinance.

Nam Tai Security Company Limited (BR no.: 10133722) was charged for an offence under section 7A(8) of the Ordinance. The defendant pleaded guilty to eight counts of failing to make full MPF contributions for its employee within the prescribed time for the contribution periods between October 2008 and April 2009 and July 2009. As the defendant had previously committed the same offence, the Magistrate fined the defendant $7,000 for the first summons and $10,000 each for the remaining summonses, totaling $77,000.

Waycome (Hong Kong) Limited (BR no.: 30121113) was charged for an offence under section 7A(8) of the Ordinance. The defendant pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to make full MPF contributions for its employee within the prescribed time for the contribution periods February and April 2009. The defendant was fined $8,000 for each summons, totaling $24,000.

Mei Ming Wai Building Service Co. Limited (BR no.: 37222388) was charged for an offence under section 7(1) of the Ordinance. The defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to enroll its two employees in an MPF scheme as required by the Ordinance. The defendant was fined $6,000 and $3,000 respectively for the summonses, totaling $9,000.

Hong Kong Toneset Electro-Chemical Products Co. Ltd. (BR no.: 33723746) was charged for an offence under section 7(1) of the Ordinance. The defendant had made full rectifications earlier and was fined $1,000 for the summons for failing to enroll an employee in an MPF scheme as required by the Ordinance.

Yuen Man Chu trading as Hwa Yu Company(BR no.: 30841139) was charged for an offence under section 7(1) of the Ordinance. The defendant had made full rectifications earlier and was fined $2,000 for the summons for failing to enroll an employee in an MPF scheme as required by the Ordinance.

Meanwhile, the MPFA today pursued two claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $8,700 on behalf of three employees, who were owed MPF contributions by theirs employers.

At the Tribunals hearing today, two defendants, namely Yu Tak Ming Andy formerly trading as Kim Fat Restaurant and F.O.B. Instruments Limited, did not appear. In their absence, the Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA the sums of $4,536 and $4,173.75, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.

The amounts both awarded at the Tribunal will be reimbursed to the employees MPF accounts as soon as they are received by the MPFA. The Tribunal ordered the defendants to pay $90 and $239 as the cost in respect of the claims.

MGM Paves the Way for Classic Anime Series “Prince Planet” to Launch on YouTube™ & Hulu on November 9

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LOS ANGELES, CA – Anime Fans Alert! To the delight of anime fans everywhere, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) is pleased to announce that the classic 1960’s anime series, “Prince Planet” will be made available on Hulu and Youtube™ beginning today.
“Prince Planet” is the English name given to one of the earliest Japanese TV anime series (Planet Boy Popi) when it was first televised in America in the mid-1960’s. More than 45 episodes will be made available as “Prince Planet” tells the story of a member of the Universal Peace Corps from the Planet Radion coming to Earth on a mission to determine if this world meets standards for membership in the Galactic Union of Worlds and assist its inhabitants during his stay.
As part of an aggressive initiative to mine the studio’s extensive library, “Prince Planet” was a hidden gem in the archives of the MGM library. Noticing a trend in how well anime is performing on digital platforms, MGM executives took steps to restore the series for the new media world.
“We are pleased the tech team here at MGM invested the time and resources in digital restoration services to bring this series to life for the new digital age,” said Yaoshiang Ho, Director, Worldwide Digital Media. “From fans of classic animation to anime connoisseurs, viewers will be able to enjoy “Prince Planet” on demand and online in a way they’ve never seen it before through MGM’s digital media partners.”
“Prince Planet” was originally produced in Japan by TCJ (Television Corporation of Japan) for Dentsu advertising in conjunction with K. Fujita Associates and aired on the Fuji Television Network in 1965. This show was one of the first heavily merchandised shows in Japan, with simple things like shoes offered for sale with the Planet Boy Popi logo. An English-dubbed version was released by American International Television Productions in 1965 and produced by James Nicholson and Samuel Z. Arkoff and was last seen on American television in 1979.
To check out “Prince Planet” on Youtube please click here: http://www.youtube.com/show/princeplanet
To check out “Prince Planet” on Hulu please click here: http://www.hulu.com/prince-planet
For a selection of artwork please click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43774185@N07/sets/72157622741607050/
About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit http://www.mgm.com.

Source: WEBWIRE

Hong Kong: Amendments to ancillary road works at Ho Chung Channel gazetted

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The Government published a notice in the Gazette today (November 6) on proposed amendments to road works ancillary to the drainage improvement works for Ho Chung Channel.

The amendments address the publics request to improve the proposed access roads. They include revision of the limit of works area; conversion of the maintenance vehicular access into an access road and footpath; construction of a section of access road and footpath; and ancillary works such as drainage, lighting and geotechnical works, and provision of road furniture.

The amendment plan and the amendment scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:

(i)Central and Western District Office, Public Enquiry Service Centre, Unit 5, The Center, 99 Queens Road Central;

(ii) District Lands Office, Sai Kung, 3rd Floor, Sai Kung Government Offices, 34 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung; and

(iii)Sai Kung District Office, 2nd Floor, Sai Kung Government Offices, 34 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung.

Any person who wishes to object to the proposed amendments, should write to the Secretary for Transport and Housing, 16th floor, Murray Building, Garden Road, Hong Kong, on or before January 5, 2010.

Hong Kong: Anti-drug seminar for teachers held in Tsuen Wan (with photos)

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More than 800 primary school principals and teachers attended an anti-drug seminar today (November 4) at the Tsuen Wan Town Hall to broaden their anti-drug knowledge and enhance their ability to handle high-risk youngsters and young drug abusers.

Organised by the Tsuen Wan Primary School Heads Association and Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing District School Development Section of the Education Bureau, the seminar was part of the Tsuen Wan District Three-pronged Anti Youth Drug Abuse Campaign under the Community Programme against Youth Drug Abuse.

Guests attending included the Chairman of Tsuen Wan District Fight Crime Committee, Mr Chan Iu-seng; member of Tsuen Wan District Anti-drug Steering Committee, Mr Cheng Shing-lung; Chairlady of Tsuen Wan Primary School Heads Association, Ms Tam Yuk-hing; Chairman of the Tsuen Wan District Primary Schools Staff Professional Development Day Organising Committee, Mr Sun Lit-yau; District Officer (Tsuen Wan), Mr Cheung Doi-ching; and Chief School Development Officer (Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing) of the Education Bureau, Mr Mark Wan.

Mr Wan said, We hope that through the seminar, the principals and teachers can know more about the harmful effects of drugs, learn how to assist maladjusted students and widely disseminate anti-drug messages in the district.

Mr Cheung said, Although drug abuse is not a serious problem among schools in Tsuen Wan, all sectors of the district give priority to facing up the issue. Through inter-departmental and cross-sector co-operation, we hope to provide assistance to principals, teachers, youngsters at risks and or those who had abused drugs.

At the seminar, Dr Lee Pai-ying of the Yan Chai Hospital explained the types and harmful effects of drugs, and ways to identify young drug users. A question-and-answer session was also held where Dr Lee, a social worker of Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, Ms Vian Ho and a police representative, Mr Chiang Yun-tao answered questions raised by principals and teachers.

Mr Cheng said, Apart from organising seminars to step up preventive education, the campaign will also extend the out-reach programme in the district and provide in-depth counselling services to youngsters in need to help them fight against drugs.