The Macao Sport Development Board has always been committed to promoting and popularizing Sport for All and providing more opportunities for the local residents to participate in physical activities, so as to strengthen body and spirit and improving the health condition. The Macao Sport Development Board and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau have jointly organized the “Free Sports Ground” Ball Games Competitions since October of 2009, which have been enthusiastically supported by ball sport devotees with overwhelming response.
The Macao Sport Development Board and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau once again organized the 2012 Spring “Free Sports Ground” Ball Games Competition which took place on every Sunday from April 8th to May 6th, with the Macao-China Basketball Association and the Macao Football Association being invited to co-organize this event.
The event was held every Sunday, spanning over five weeks. The Free Sports Ground ball-game devotees all expressed their great support for the event, with participants showing up early to prepare for the matches. All participants had played their best and displayed unity and team spirit throughout the matches, which helped to draw many spectators for excitement. The activity concluded with a total of 352 teams and 1408 athletes participating. This year, the basketball and football youth categories were adjusted with more opportunities being provided for young players to participate, allowing them to cultivate their interest in sports from childhood and strengthen their knowledge of ball sports. It also provided an opportunity for sport associations to select talents and establish a foundation for the development of basketball and football programs in the future.
Through organization of the “Free Sports Ground” Ball Games Competitions, it encourages residents to participate in sports during their leisure time, and sustain the unique sports culture of Macao, which also helps to provide opportunities to build friendship and harmony and improve health for ball-sport enthusiasts, thereby promoting the message “Let’s exercise for a better health” to all local residents.
