Gala Dinner
Date: |
13 December 2002 |
Time: |
7:30pm - midnight |
Venue: |
Grand Hall, New
Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre |
Tickets:
|
HK$998
per person (For Hong Kong Jockey Club's members only) |
|
|
HKSAR
Chief Executive says the Club maintains the highest standard of integrity
and cites reasons for choosing it to operate soccer betting.
Following is a speech by the Chief Executive, Mr
Tung Chee Hwa, at the Hong Kong International Races Gala Dinner held
at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre tonight (December
13):
Ron, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to welcome all of our guests
- but particularly our guests from overseas - to this magnificent gala
dinner tonight. Ron, you were comparing the job of the patron of the
Jockey Club and the Chief Executive of the SAR. I just want to tell
you, you can have my job anytime. Ron, you and your team at the Jockey
Club, and of course all of your predecessors, have done a tremendous
job in making the Hong Kong International Races a highlight of the world's
racing calendar. The Hong Kong Jockey Club deserves great credit, and
our sincerest appreciation, for developing such an elite event. I certainly
cannot think of a more fitting conclusion to the World Series Racing
Championships than the Hong Kong Cup.
I am delighted with this year's theme 'World City,
World Sport'. The Hong Kong International Races not only keeps the eyes
of the racing world firmly focused on Hong Kong, they also help to consolidate
our position as Asia's world city - a cosmopolitan, vibrant, free and
open city that welcomes people from around the globe to live and work,
as well as chance their luck at the races. And with an expected TV audience
of over one billion tuning in this weekend, we can proudly showcase
the dynamism of our city and the professional excellence of the Hong
Kong Jockey Club.
The hosting of international events such as the finale
of the World Series Racing Championship, the World Congress of Accountants,
the FORTUNE Global Forum and the International Rugby Sevens - just to
name a few of the world-class events held this year - underlines Hong
Kong's position as Asia's world city.
They also provide us with the opportunity to highlight
our unique strengths as the world's freest economy, and the advantages
of doing business and living here in Hong Kong. We enjoy unique advantages
under the 'One Country, Two Systems' formula that has allowed Hong Kong
people to administer our own affairs with a high degree of autonomy
since Reunification in 1997. And although we have achieved world-class
status in many areas - financial services, professional services, transport
and logistics, tourism, trade - we know we must constantly hone and
refine these strengths to maintain our attractiveness as the major international
business hub serving China and the Asia-Pacific. Like a thoroughbred
horse we are blessed with natural talent, but it takes the rigours of
competition to bring out the best in us. And, like our four international
races, we are determined to maintain Hong Kong's position amongst the
best of the best as an 'International Group One' economy and society.
Horse racing is often referred to as the 'sport of
kings', but in Hong Kong it is firmly entrenched as the 'king of sports'.
No other sport in Hong Kong attracts such considerable support. About
two million people each week follow the races - proportionally more
than anywhere else in the world. Nowhere else can match the close-quarters
energy and excitement of a night at the races at Happy Valley. And there
are not many courses like Sha Tin, which consistently attracts crowds
of over 30,000 each weekend. We're probably looking for a crowd of 50,000
or more for the fantastic programme this weekend.
Racing has brought enormous benefits to Hong Kong.
Each year, the Jockey Club pays betting duties to the Government. In
the last financial year, this amounts to about 12 billion Hong Kong
dollars. On top of that, about one billion Hong Kong dollars - that's
almost 130 million US dollars - is poured back into charity and community
causes through Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. The Academy for
Performing Arts, the University of Science and Technology, the Ocean
Park are major landmarks in Hong Kong that were funded through the proceeds
of the racing. Numerous other community facilities and social welfare
programmes have been developed and supported thanks to the Jockey Club's
Charities Trust.
We expect that the Trust will be able to provide
even more resources to worthy causes in the community now that we have
decided to allow soccer betting in Hong Kong. In deciding to legalise
soccer betting, my government's prime concern was to tackle the problem
of illegal gambling. We have also decided to stick with a proven record
of success in asking the Hong Kong Jockey Club to develop and operate
an authorised soccer betting system here in Hong Kong. Of course, the
Jockey Club has the experience to do this. But much more importantly,
in my view, the Jockey Club commands considerable public respect and
confidence. The Club has an impeccable record, and maintains the highest
standards of integrity, in all of its operations. We are now drawing
up the regulatory and licensing conditions needed to implement soccer
betting. And we are confident that we will be able to work hand-in-hand
with the Jockey Club to ensure that authorized soccer betting operates
in the best overall interests of the public.
In addition to the government's efforts to tackle
illegal gambling, I am also pleased to see the joint action being taken
by the Japan Racing Association and the Jockey Club. Signing just now
of the Good Neighbour Policy surely marks an important step in the on-going
campaign to protect the welfare of communities, not just in Hong Kong
but worldwide.
Ladies and gentlemen, once again, I would like to
offer you all a very warm Hong Kong welcome. I know you have a great
night ahead of you, and an even greater weekend of racing. And for those
of you having a bet on Sunday, good luck to you all.
Thank you very much.
End/Friday, December 13, 2002
Introduction
Go 'Beyond the Boundary' at this year's black-tie
Gala Dinner in celebration of the world-class Hong Kong International
Races. Held on December 13 in the Grand Hall of the Hong Kong Convention
and Exhibition Centre, the night will transport partygoers into a world
of oriental glamor.
Promising to be an elegant experience for all who attend, the HKIR gala
dinner offers martial arts performances, live music and dancing, and
delicious cuisine.
The highlight of the evening will be a special wushu
performance of Shaolin-inspired martial arts movement and music. The
Shaolin monks share a spirit of excellence, dedication and professionalism
with the Hong Kong Jockey Club that is hard to beat.
Other highlights include a contemporary dance performance
featuring East-West fusion choreography, marrying traditional Chinese
dance with Western performance arts in a memorable presentation. Later
in the evening, a live band will have guests on the dance floor for
a perfor-mance of chart-topping golden oldies.
A sumptuous Asian dinner will mirror the 'Beyond
the Boundary' theme and include several courses and delicious desserts!
All attendees will be entered into a special Grand Prize Lucky Draw,
which will be announced towards the close of the evening.
Seating for this unforgettable event is limited.
To reserve your place, fill out and return the reservation form. The
deadline for booking is Monday December 9, 2002. For further enquiries,
please call 2966 8080.