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Robison developing Hong Kong links
18/03/2012
A stronger sporting partnership between Scotland and Hong Kong is being developed this week by the Scottish Government.
Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison travels to Hong Kong tomorrow (Monday, March 19) for a series of meetings with sporting organisations to foster deeper connections and collaboration to benefit the wider community in Scotland and Hong Kong.
During the five-day visit the Minister will be backing the Scottish team in the Hong Kong Sevens and taking part in the Sport Relief Mile.
Other parts of the Minister’s programme, which ends on Saturday March 24, include:
- Talks with Secretary Tsang, Hong Kong Minister for Home Affairs
- Developing links between Scottish Rugby and the Hong Kong RFU through Positive Coaching Scotland – a scheme which aims to create a positive environment for young people in sport. The Hong Kong RFU is considering implementing the scheme in Hong Kong and former Scottish internationalist rugby player, who was born in Hong Kong, is to act as an Ambassador for Positive Coaching Scotland
- Meetings with the Hong Kong Sports Federation and Olympic Committee and a number of sports governing bodies
- Meeting with the Hong Kong Chambers of Commerce
- A tour of facilities at the Hong Kong Sports Institute and talks about how the institute can work more closely with the sportscotland Institute of Sport to help support and develop elite athletes
- Visit an Operation Breakthrough project and talks with Breakthrough Directors
Speaking ahead of the trip Ms Robison said:
“Scotland has a warm and cordial relationship with Hong Kong, developed over many decades, and strengthened further last year when we welcomed Chief Executive Donald Tsang to Edinburgh to discuss how we can work together even more closely. That visit was then followed up by the First Minister in December when he was welcomed by Mr Tsang in Hong Kong.
“As part of our agreement with Hong Kong we are developing greater co-operation in the sporting world to further cement the ties that bind Scotland and Hong Kong together.
“Sport is a power for enormous good among young people, and the First Minister announced last year that Scotland’s successful CashBack for Communities Programme and Hong Kong's Operation Breakthrough initiative will work together, sharing experience and learning valuable lessons as they seek to lower youth offending and promote healthy lifestyles.
“Rugby is a huge part of the programme and I am delighted to be in Hong Kong as the Scotland team bids for glory in the Hong Kong Sevens. This will serve as an important opportunity to look for new opportunities to build connections and ways of sharing Hong Kong’s experience and expertise for the benefit of Scottish athletes.”