Giving his opening speech, Tai Po District Commander Charles Mitchell told the many young people present: "After months of delays because of the H1N1 influenza, I am relieved to finally get this basketball tournament concluded today. As members of Generation Y, you are part of the texting, Facebook and YouTube peer-oriented community. However, all these things come with their own pressures. What we aim to do is to help you avoid the pitfalls, take up challenges, build your confidence and develop your full potential."

Another officiating guest, Mr Jacob Chan, a member of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), urged the community to support the Government in combatting drug abuse, adding that he appreciated what the Tai Po community had been doing in supporting Tai Po District's Project GEN-Y.

The three-day tournament, which was one of the seven programmes under Project GEN-Y, had drawn the participation by about 200 students. It was co-organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Education. Professor Joanne Chung, the newly appointed Head of the Department of Health and Physical Education of the institute, praised the Police for utilising community resources to build up a network in Tai Po.

The ceremony also featured a mini-fun fair, where the Hong Kong Medical Association, Cheer Lutheran Centre, Narcotics Bureau, Weapon Training Division of Police College, Regional Traffic Team of New Territories North provided booth games to disseminate the "Say No to Drugs" message.

After the ceremony, Mr Yim Chi-shing, Chairman of the North District Secondary School Principals' Association, praised Project GEN-Y for providing a platform for students, teachers and parents to contribute to the fight against drug abuse in Tai Po.

Young people hotly contest the basketball competition