To celebrate the 17th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region and the 7th anniversary of the founding of the Federation of Macau Sport General Association (the Federation), the Sports Bureau and the Federation have co-hosted the “Macau Sports Carnival 2016” at the Tap Seac Plaza on the 6th of November. The sport associations and sports clubs in Macao have set up 64 stands for games and expositions, arranged over 30 performances to publicize the fun and advantages of sports, and encourage local people to care more about health and do more exercises. About 30,000 people have taken part in the activities.

This year witnesses the 7th Macau Sports Carnival, a grand occasion to promote Macao's sport development and motivate people to do more exercises. The event lasted from 10a.m. to 8p.m. on that day, citizens flooded in to visit or participate in various kinds of sport activities and learn about sports development in Macao. Moreover, dancing and martial art shows were performed on the central stage at different periods of time, making a great attraction for the participants as well.

Tam Chon Weng Officiated Opening Ceremony

Guests at the opening ceremony includes Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr. Ma Iao Hang, President of the Federation of Macau Sport General Association, Mr. Xu Li, Director of Training Council in General Administration of Sport of China, Mr. Zhao Chuandong, Deputy Director of Department of Education and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Macao S.A.R., Mr. Wang Yuan, Deputy Director of Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macau S.A.R., Mr. Leong Heng Teng, Executive Council Spokesperson, Mr. Pun Weng Kun, President of the Sports Bureau, Ms. Yuen Hoi Ching, Representative of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau.

Pun Weng Kun Longing for Dual-Track Development

Mr. Pun Weng Kun expressed in his remarks that the Macau S.A.R. Government has been committed to strengthen both mass sports and competitive sports. Fruitful results have been produced with the long-term joint efforts by various sectors of society and sports associations. The Federation of Macau Sport General Association, since its founding, has been acting as a bridge connecting all sports associations to push forward and publicize local sports. The Sports Bureau will continue to improve sport facilities and optimize resource allocation and enhance athletes' training and echelon building to achieve the double-track development of mass sports and competitive sports.

Ma Iao Hang Hoped for More Public Understanding of Sports

Mr. Ma Iao Hang, President of the Federation of Macau Sport General Association, has been delighted to see the carnival's appeal to local people. The organizing committee of the event has held a series of activities such as color filling contest, essay writing competition, badminton friendly match and squash fun fair to create a strong atmosphere of sport culture. The carnival has been expected to deepen people's understanding of sports, advocate fitness for all and promote local sport development.