Speech by DCS at Prize Ceremony of Hong Kong Lacrosse Open 2025
Following is the speech by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at thePrize Ceremony of the Hong Kong Lacrosse Open 2025today (April 20):
Mr Warren Allderige (Chairman of Hong Kong, China Lacrosse Association), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Happy Easter and good evening. I am excited to be among so many youths. It is real pleaure to join you this evening at the Prize Ceremony of the Hong Kong Lacrosse Open 2025. First and foremost, let me extend my warmest congratulations to all winning teams on your spectacular performance.
The Hong Kong Lacrosse Open is one of Asia's most competitive lacrosse tournaments. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the event has welcomed to Hong Kong a record-breaking 72 teams and over 700 athletes. With the addition of the U16, U12, U10 and U8 divisions, it brings a welcome new complexion to the sport. The unprecedented number of youth divisions participating in the event not only generates fresh momentum to the sport's development but also facilitates the grooming of young talents. Featuring some of the most gifted players from across Asia, the rounds of riveting matches have provided an invaluable opportunity for athletes to test their skills, widen their exposure and pursue excellence. I believe all players have found this action-packed weekend to be a thrilling and rewarding experience.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Hong Kong, China Lacrosse Association, sponsors, supporting units and dedicated volunteers for bringing us this prominent event. I also wish to applaud the organiser's remarkable efforts in providing training to our young athletes to help them gear up for this tournament and the upcoming 2025 Asia-Pacific U16 Lacrosse Championship to be held in Jeju, Korea, this August.
Lacrosse has seen tremendous growth worldwide over the past years. The inclusion of sixes lacrosse in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games is an apt recognition of the sport's enduring legacy, its global popularity and growing prominence. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to support the Hong Kong, China Lacrosse Association in organising tournaments and training programmes to enhance the competitiveness of the Hong Kong team and drive the long-term development of the game.
Lastly, I wish all athletes good luck in future tournaments and our visitors a memorable time going around the city during your stay in Hong Kong.Thank you.
Government sets up inter-departmental dedicated team to follow up on suspected closure of private healthcare facilities
As regards the recent suspected closure of certain private healthcare facilities, the Government has set up an inter-departmental dedicated team to ensure that cases are handled as soon as possible and members of the public involved are provided with assistance. The inter-departmental dedicated team comprises representatives from the Security Bureau, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Department of Health (DH) and the Consumer Council (Council).
Customs is actively looking into this incident and is conducting investigations into offences under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) regarding the unfair trade practices. If there is any violation of the TDO, Customs will take appropriate enforcement actions. As at 4pm today (May 2), Customs and the police received 312 related reports and the Council received 157 related complaints. The Council urges the responsible persons of the relevant private healthcare facilities to explain as soon as possible whether it has closed down and the subsequent arrangements to address consumers' concerns. Consumers are advised to call the Council's hotline at 2929 2222 if they are in doubt.
Customs appeals to members of the public who have purchased prepaid services (including vaccinations) from the private healthcare facilities concerned to contact the department as soon as possible.Members of the public may report any suspected violation of the TDO to Customs by calling its 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or sending an email to its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or filling out an online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO. Consumers are also reminded to procure services at reputable shops and consider prudently before making decisions to make prepaid purchases. After making prepaid purchases, consumers should keep the relevant records, such as transaction receipts and contracts, which can become basic information in case a complaint is lodged in the future.
Under the TDO, any trader commits an offence if at the time of acceptance of payment, the trader intends not to supply the product or intends to supply a materially different product, or there is no reasonable ground for believing that the trader will be able to supply the product within a specified or reasonable period. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
As regards the concerns of affected parents about their children's remaining vaccinations, all 29 Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) under the DH provide vaccination service for infants and young children from birth to five years of age under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme. For children affected by the incident and have been registered with one of the MCHCs, their parents may make an appointment by calling the registered MCHCs to consult the healthcare staff at the MCHCs on the vaccinations that their children need to receive in the future. For a small number of children who have not been registered with the MCHCs, parents may call this hotline (2125 1188), which will operate from tomorrow (May 3) from 9am to 5pm daily until further notice. Parents can also send emails to dhhelpdesk_2501@dh.gov.hk or WhatsApp messages to 6170 8006 respectively for enquiries. Information on the services and booking procedures of the MCHCs is available at www.fhs.gov.hk.
