To acknowledge the outstanding achievements of athletes and coaches who participated in international competitions in 2011, the “Award Ceremony of Bonuses and Certificates of Merit in Sports to Outstanding Athletes and Coaches for 2011” was held on January 6th, 2012 at the banquet hall of the Macao Fisherman’s Wharf Conference and Exhibition Center. Dr. Fernando Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Government, Mr. Cheong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macao, among others, presided over the award ceremony and presented bonuses and certificates of merit in the field of sports to award-winning athletes and coaches.
In 2011, a total of 81 outstanding athletes and coaches in 11 sports were awarded bonuses totaling MOP3,885,000 for their excellent performances in 8 different events. At the same time, a total of 327 athletes and coaches in 26 sports were given certificates of merit as a gesture of encouragement.
Mr. Vong Iao Lek, President of the Macao Sport Development Board indicated during his speech that the Board will, in the future, continue to implement projects and initiatives in the field of competitive sports and Sport for All simultaneously, put efforts into supporting their mutual promotion and cooperation, strive for more breakthroughs in competitive sports, and encourage more interested young people and residents to participate in sports so that both competitive sports and Sport for All can also be popularized. In addition, the Macao Sport Development Board will continue to assist sports associations in the implementation of medium and long term development plans, increase its efforts to intensify elite athlete training programs, as well as provide encouragement and advanced study mechanisms to motivate athletes to strive for improvements and achieve better results.
Also present at the awards ceremony were Mr. Li Zhengqiao, Deputy Director of the Culture and Education Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao SAR, Ms. Han Xiaoyan, Deputy Director-General of Functions of Policy Research Department of Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Policy Research Department of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao S.A.R., Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng, Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive Office, Ms. Cecilia Cheung So Mui, Chief-of-Office of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr. José Tavares and Mr. Pun Weng Kun, Vice-Presidents of Macao Sport Development Board, Mr. Ma Iao Hang and Mr. Lo Keng Chio, Chairman and President of the Sports and Olympic Committee of Macao, China, as well as members of the Sports Council and leaders of several sports associations.
