Jointly organised by the Macao Sport Development Board and Macao Elderly Sports Association, co-organised by the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macao, the Macao Federation of Trades Union, and Women’s General Association of Macao, the 2010 Macao Elderly Sports Day was held at Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion on 18th September.
Guests attending the opening ceremony included Vong Iao Lek, President of the Macao Sport Development Board, Au Tin Heong, President of the Macao Elderly Sports Association, Io Hong Meng, Director of the General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macao, Chiang Chong Sek, Deputy Director of the Macao Federation of Trades Union, Chiang Sio Lan, Execut ive Director of the Women’s General Association of Macao, José Tavares, Vice President of the Macao Sport Development Board, Choi Chi Hong, Head of the Department of Cultural Activities and Recreation of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau plus Sports Committee members António Fernandes, Chang Chin Nam, Chung Hon Kun, Wu Chong Fai, Lou Kit Long and Lam Un Mui.
The Sports Day featured nine recreation and sports activities, including 20 display booths of the featured sports suh as table tennis, rouliqiu, football, gateball, etc. A booth for physical condition assessment was also available, participants were invited to have their height, weight, balance, blood pressure, etc measured and the results analysed in order to enable participants to better understand the importance of physical health, thereby strengthening their physical fitness and building up confidence through activity. To enhance residents’ knowledge and interest in physical education and sport, organisers arranged students from Sport for All Recreational and Fitness Classes perform Taiji Double Fan, line dance, Hunyuan Qigong, Yang style Taijiquan, Kung-fu Fan and aerobics.
Organisers hoped that the Sports Day could enable the elderly, their families and general public to jointly share the joy of exercising and better promote the concept of ‘sport for all for better health’. The event also sought to encourage the elderly to actively participate in sports activities and cultivate a healthy habit of persistent exercising to maintain a healthy body. Further, it enriched the leisure life of the elderly and enhanced their quality of life in building a harmonious and healthy society together.
The atmosphere of the Sports Day was convivial and lively, filled with joy and harmony, and attracted some 2,100 elderly participants aged over 50 years old to attend.
