�� The Hong Kong government plans to set up a mechanism to encourage more active involvement in sports activities, Secretary for Home Affairs David Lan said on October 23.

�� Lan made the remarks at a meeting of Lions Clubs International District 303 Hong Kong and Macao, a prestigious charity group in the region.

�� He said that the government is preparing to establish a leisure and cultural services department and a culture and heritage commission next year to deal with affairs on culture, arts, sports and recreation.

�� The department will focus on sports for recreation while the existent Hong Kong Sports Development Board will emphasize on the strategic planning, elitist training and development activities by adding their membership, Lan added.

�� The would-be department and the board will cooperate to achieve an overall participation of Hong Kong residents in sports and raise the level of sports in Hong Kong, the secretary said.

�� Lions Clubs International District 303 invited various key government officials to shed light on current affairs or social issues at district meetings in the past year.

�� "Such understanding will help us better plan our service programs for the local community," Edwin Yun, district governor of Lions clubs International District 303 said.