Police Athletics Championships
Unfortunately more than 100 officers, who had put their names down for various events, could not attend because of duties related to the containment of the atypical pneumonia outbreak. Among those on this special duty commitment were many of the Force Directorate, as a result of which the 4 X 100 Relay Race for three teams from the Senior Directorate Group, Police Headquarters Assistant Commissioners and Regional Commanders had to be postponed until next year!
A strong entry for the 10,000m race saw 50 runners from all three men's categories taking starters orders for the first event of the day. And it was the two predictable winners who romped home in the race. They were Police Tactical Unit Headquarters (PTU HQ) Acting Sergeant Ching Ying-wai and, from the Police Athletics Club stables under Trainer Mr Fung Wah-tim, Police Constable (PC) Mr Lai Hok-yan. Mr Ching, who holds the race record of 33'46" - set in 1999 - was a full minute off his mark due to the poor weather conditions.
The Ladies' Long Distance race (3,000m) saw an exciting finish between Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB) Senior Inspector, Ms Foo Yat-ting, and PTU HQ Acting Sergeant Ms Luk Wing-han. The two pushed each other all the way to the line, with Ms Foo managing a final burst to finish first in 12'19" - just 20 seconds short of the race record.
The title of Fastest Man in the Police Force went to Sham Shui Po District PC Mr So Ho-kei who won the 100m finals in 11:90 seconds. For the Ladies the title went to Eastern District Woman Police Constable Ms Chow Chor-ling who outran her rivals in the 100m in a time of 14:40 seconds.
In the field events it was Airport District Senior Inspector, Mr Chris Irvine, who, once again, took Golds in both the Discus and the Shotput, with the Silver going to Central District (CDIST) Senior Inspector Mr Dave Donnelly. For the Long Jump and Triple Jump it was CDIST PC Mr Lo Siu-pan who took the Gold. For the Long Jump Mr Lo was, unfortunately, just shy of the record of 6.78 meters.
The Relay Races were hard fought between the specialist/training units of PTU HQ and Airport (ASU) but it was the PTU HQ team who eventually triumphed in both the 4 X 100m and the 4 X 400 m races. The Promotion Relay was hotly contested by eight police formations, generating rousing cheers from the stands as the lead changed with each leg of the race. At the final change-over CCB took their baton first into the final 100m straight and valiantly held off a close challenge from PTU HQ (second) and Narcotics Bureau (NB) (third).
Commissioner Mr Tsang Yam-pui officiated at the trophy presentation ceremony which was preceded by a fine performance from the Police Silver Band who completed 200m of the track in under 10 minutes. The Victor Ludorum went to Airport District PC Mr Chan Man-for, the Victrix Ludorum went to Security Wing WPC Ms Kwok Yee-man and the Carpe Diem (Seize the Day) bowl, for the highest scoring athlete over the age of 35, went to PTU HQ Chief Inspector Mr Ian Strange.
Finally, the Commissioner presented the overall Championship shields: the Specialist/Training Unit Champion's Shield went to PTU HQ - once again! And, the Minor Units Shield went to CCB for the first time ever - a popular win among the cheering spectators.
