The Award Ceremony of Bonuses and Certificates of Merit in Sports to Outstanding Athletes and Coaches for 2014 took place at the Convention and Exhibition Centre of Macao Fisherman’s Wharf on 16th January 2015 to commend athletes and coaches for their excellent performances in sports competitions in 2014. Mr. Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region; Mr. Li Gang, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR; Mr. Pan Yundong, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of the People’s Republic of China in the MSAR and Mr. Tam Chon Weng, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the MSAR jointly presided over the ceremony, presenting athletes and coaches with bonuses and certificates of merit in sports.
In 2014, a total of 78 athletes and 17 coaches received bonuses for their excellent performances in 11 events in eight individual sports, while another 239 athletes and 51 coaches competing in 23 sports events were awarded with certificates of merit in sports as a token of encouragement.
In his opening speech, José Maria da Fonseca Tavares, President of Macao Sport Development Board, stated that the athletes and coaches from Macao had participated in a number of international sports events in 2014. In their joint efforts, Macao had won several awards and improved its international standing over the last year, while manifesting sports development in the MSAR.
Athletes and coaches were congratulated on their outstanding achievements during last year. In order to provide better protection for the athletes and allow them to be more focused in training and competition for better results, the MSAR Government launched the ‘Training Subsidy Programme for Elite Athletes’ and ‘Education Subsidy Programme for Retired Elite Athletes’ in 2014. Meanwhile, the ‘Regulation of Awards for Highly Competitive Sports’ and ‘Regulation of Awards for Sports for the Disabled’ will be reviewed and revised this year, to further improve and develop the competitive sports system.
Other attending guests of the awards ceremony included Ms. O Lam, Chief of Office at the Office of the Chief Executive; Mr. Lai Ieng Kit, Chief of Office at the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture; Mr. Vong Iao Lek, Chairman of the Administration Committee of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau; Mr. Pun Weng Kun and Mr. Lao Cho Un, Vice-Presidents of the Macao Sport Development Board; Mr. Ma Iao Hang, Chairman of the Sports and Olympic Committee of Macau, China, Mr. Lo Keng Chio and Mr. Chan Chak, President and Secretary General of the Committee, as well as other members of the Committee and leaders and representatives of local sports associations.
