Thousands of Swimmers Attend Water Trial Compete For Entry To New World Harbour Race 2012
Faced with an encouraging and overwhelming number of entries for the New World Harbour Race 2012, organizer is holding the two-day water trials on 1 and 2 September at the Tung Chung Public Swimming Pool to select the final 1,800 swimmers who will take part in this iconic event.
The New World Harbour Race 2012, title-sponsored by New World Development Company Limited ("New World Group") and organized by the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association ("HKASA"), received an incredible response with 2,720 swimmers enrolling in the race this year. Those who successfully completed the New World Race 2011 and other priority applicants would be given advance admission, while the remaining 1,900 swimmers compete for entry by finishing a 1,500m swim in 45 minutes. The fastest swimmers will qualify.
"We are delighted that the New World Harbour Race 2012 has received such strong support from the general public with an unexpected number of people signing up for this year's event," said Ronnie Wong Man Chiu, J.P., Hon. Secretary of HKASA. "The New World Harbour Race continues a great tradition. Swimming in our beautiful Victoria Harbour is a wonderful way to revitalise the spirit of Hong Kong. We hope that the New World Harbour Race will carry on growing in the future to ultimately become a major Asian sporting event."
New World Group, the title sponsor of the New World Harbour Race is committed to promoting sports development in Hong Kong. The Group launched a new community and sustainability initiative last month, called New World Springboard, which aims to help under-resourced young people unleash their full potential through participation in sports, and to cultivate a spirit of perseverance. The Springboard programme includes the recently launched New World Swimming Academy and the New World Basketball League.
New World Group has also been inspiring its staff to join the Harbour Race by engaging Sherry Tsai, a former member of the Hong Kong Swimming Team, to coach and provide special training for the participating staff. "New World Group strongly supports sports and swimming development in Hong Kong to raise awareness of healthy living. We have encouraged our staff members to take part in this year's race and received a fantastic response with more than 60 entries from the Group, twice as many as last year. New World Group sponsors our employees' entry fees and has arranged the former member of the Hong Kong Swimming Team, Sherry Tsai, to teach them the special skills and techniques of swimming in open water," said Maria Cheung, General Manager of Corporate Communication of New World Development Company Limited.
The New World Harbour Race 2012 has been attracting entrants of all ages and backgrounds, including 82-year-old Wai Kam Chiu and Chau Man Wing, who is only 12. Both are passionate swimmers and conducted today's time trial, hoping to qualify for this year's New World Harbour Race with the best results.
The final list of successful entrants for the New World Harbour Race 2012 will be uploaded on New World Harbour Race website(http://www.hkharbourrace.com) on 27 September 2012.
New World Development Company Limited
New World Development Company Limited (Hong Kong stock code: 17) is a Hong Kong-based leading conglomerate. Established in 1970, the Group has been listed in Hong Kong since 1972 and is now a constituent stock of the benchmark Hang Seng Index with a total asset value of HK$270.2 billion.
After 40 years of operations, the Group has expanded from its original property business to include four core businesses: property, infrastructure, services and department stores. As of 31st December 2011, the Group has an effective interest of approximately 60.4% in NWS Holdings Limited (Hong Kong stock code: 659), 69.8% in New World China Land Limited (Hong Kong stock code: 917) and 72.3% in New World Department Store China Limited (Hong Kong stock code: 825).