|
Got something to say? E-mail
(offbeat@police.gcn.gov.hk), phone, fax or write a letter to Editor OFFBEAT and say it. We're here for you.
DEAR SIR,As a first-time competitor
of the Dowman Road Race, I was very impressed with the turn out of participants
and the efforts that went into organising the event by Police Athletics Club members,
the staff of S&R PS Division and PTU 'F' Company. It was a very enjoyable experience.
May I suggest in future races, however, that more beverages and fruit (bananas) be
available for runners at the mid-way point and the finish line. Also, I have heard that
certificates for participants who finished the race will not be issued. If true, why not?
I think most runners look forward to receiving such a memento of accomplishing the
Dowman.
WSIP S Cheung Tin-yee
DEAR SIR,There have been a number of
criticisms made to members of the Police Athletics Club Committee about the lack of
refreshments available to runners who were at the back of the field. While the PAC
did provide sufficient drinking water at the end of the race - 20 large water tanks - they
did not have enough at the half-way turn-around point. This will be rectified next year.
The reason why there was not enough tea and cold drinking water for all runners
at the end of the race is because earlier finishers filled up their cups and then just left
the taps running. In this way a lot of tea and water was wasted. Again this is the fault of
the organisers, to some extent, for not placing marshals at the refreshment stand to
control flow and keep order.
Next year we plan to create a refreshments corridor, with mills barriers, allowing a
single line of competitors to pass through. Bigger paper cups will be issued and a
marshall will be there to ensure tea and water is not wasted.
As for the bananas, an expensive item, we bought well in excess of 1,100.
Next year, as already mentioned, we will have a marshal controlling the refreshments
queue.
The entrance fee for the Dowman Road Race may seem excessive ($35), but it is
needed to pay for the special Dowman issue race numbers (from the USA), stationery,
trophies, the printing of individual certificates, bananas and drinks, and some
minor recurring expenses such as trophy repairs, pennants, starting hooter, stop-watch
printers, etc.
The final accounting for this year has not been completed but it looks as if $12,000 to
$13,000 of the entry fees will remain unspent. However, this will be carried forward to
our next Force-wide event which is the Athletics Championships.
Every year the PAC incurs a deficit on this event because of the comparatively large
number of trophies, small number of competitors, the requirement to provide
refreshments for many marshals and time-keepers and the large amount of money
spent on stationery, equipment and stadium hire. Last year the deficit was some $10,000.
It is our club's aim to make the four annual Force-wide athletics events pay for
themselves without placing a financial burden on competitors. Afterall, we want to
encourage competitors, not discourage them!
Finally, the author queried the results of the Dowman Road Race as published in
OFF-BEAT. I have re-checked these and found no mistake.
As for certificates, these will be issued in May providing no printing difficulties are
encountered.
J C S McDouall
DEAR SIR,While I was traveling with my two-year-old daughter on the
MTR on January 19 after seeing the doctor, her situation got worse and she became
unconscious. I hurried out of the compartment and sought help from MTR staff,
unfortunately no one could perform first aid.
While I was trying to carry my daughter to the hospital, I met Police Constable Wong
Sin-ming who resuscitated her with professional skill. To ensure that she reached the
hospital safely, I asked PC Wong to accompany us by taxi and he courteously agreed.
On the way my daughter fell unconscious again at which time PC Wong continued
to resuscitate her. My daughter recovered after six days in the hospital.
My family and I would like to thank PC Wong Sin-ming for his help. His attitude
remains a constant reminder of the professionalism of the Hong Kong Police Force.
Sincerely
|
