I've attended two different functions in the past two days, both rather meaningful ones. The first was a press briefing the Club hosted on Thursday to announce its donation of HK$133 million to the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups for the Phase III redevelopment of its Sai Kung Outdoor Training Camp.
As part of the approval process for this funding, several Club directors and I visited the camp site in October last year to understand more about its existing facilities and operations. We were all very impressed, especially on learning how many local schools and social groups make good use of the venue every year.
We decided it would be well worth supporting the camp's extension project, as the enlarged facilities will enable even more local young people and their families to benefit, and complement the 'Other Learning Experiences' concept now being promoted under the new structure for senior secondary and higher education. Another point worth noting is that the reconstruction work will create some 650 job opportunities for Hong Kong.
This is not the first time the Club has supported the Federation and its social projects, indeed our co-operation with them goes right back to the mid-1960s. The Federation is currently under the leadership of Dr Rosanna Wong, who - as many of you will know - has long had a tireless commitment to the development of youth services in Hong Kong. I very much admire and appreciate her huge efforts over the years.
I share Dr Wong's view that it's very important to help local young people address the challenges they face during adolescence, encourage them to take a positive attitude to life and provide them with more opportunities for all-round development. After all, today's younger generation will be tomorrow's leaders of our society. The Club's racing trainee programme also shared a similar philosophy as we not merely aim at grooming those talented youngsters as professional riders, but also develop different techniques and skills in shaping them to become all-round athletes.
The function I attended last night was quite different in nature but equally meaningful: the Riding for the Disabled Association's annual ball. Both in my current capacity as Club CEO and previously as Director of Racing, I've come into a lot of contact with this organisation and been able to appreciate at first hand the wonderful work it does for disabled people. Riding horses is actually a great form of therapy for disabled children and adults, as it gives them an opportunity to get some healthy sporting exercise and build their self-confidence. If you had a chance to watch any of the Paralympic equestrian events at Sha Tin last year, you will know what amazing feats of skill and courage some severely disabled riders go on to achieve.
That's why I always give my patronage and support to the RDA's charity ball each year. Last night's event was held at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Wan Chai and was as enjoyable as ever. The money raised will give even more disabled people in Hong Kong the chance to ride horses in future.
It's always heartwarming to know that our horse racing activities ultimately benefit the needy in society. Today we have a programme of 10 exciting races lined up at Sha Tin and I will be paying special attention to Young Elite in the Cedar Handicap. The son of Genuine performed so consistently in all of his seven starts with three wins, one second, two thirds and one fourth. In his latest outing over 1600M, he beat Home Treasure and Fay Choy Ichiban, both of them won impressively in their next race. So today I am expecting another good show of Young Elite for the Racing Club.
In the HK Institute of Surveyors Silver Jubilee Cup, I look forward to see the upcoming Blaze King and Friendly Gains fighting it out for the 1000M event. Blaze King is a course and distance specialist, and Friendly Gains will enjoy the advantages of dropping in class and Chadwick's 7-pound claiming allowance. Let's see if they can finish in the first three together.
Tomorrow is also Mother's Day, and after enjoying our racing action, I hope you all having a great time celebrating a meaningful family occasion of your own.
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