It gives me great pleasure to be here to officially kick off one of the key events in the sports calendar in Hong Kong – the Philips Hong Kong Universities Football League 2005 – 2006.
This is the fifth year Philips Electronics Hong Kong Limited is supporting this event as title sponsor, and I am happy to say that as this tradition is growing both in breadth and depth. This year, we are delighted to see a total of 11 teams taking part, representing practically all of Hong Kong’s institutions of tertiary education, namely (in alphabetical order):
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Chu Hai College
City University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong Baptist University
Hong Kong Institute of Education
Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong Shue Yan College
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Lingnan University
University of Hong Kong
The Philips Hong Kong Universities Football League this year will comprise 33 matches, played over a period of four months, from November 13 this year to March next year.
Like in the previous years, the champion among these 11 teams will represent Hong Kong in two upcoming events.
First, they will represent Hong Kong’s universities in the China Universities Football Leagues in March 2006, which will take place in one of the cities on the Mainland. They will compete against the champions among universities from other Chinese provinces and cities, for the National Championship.
Second, they will also represent Hong Kong in the Philips Lighting International Soccer Sevens, which will take place in Hong Kong in May 2006. They will then test their skills against renowned international football teams from other parts of the world.
While the City University of Hong Kong was the champion last year, I must say they are up against very strong opposition this year from 10 other teams. And as the Chinese saying goes, “the ball is round” and all the teams stand an equal chance of winning and I would like to wish all of you the best of luck and enjoyment.
To celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Philips Hong Kong Universities Football League, we are introducing t hreeextra dimensions to the game. Apart from the new logo that Mrs Davies just mentioned, we have first set up the “Philips Sense and Simplicity Who Is The Winner Award”, to encourage public participation in this special annual event. Second, we have invited renowned local football stars Fan Chun Yip, Lee Kin Wo, Leslie George Santos, Cordeiro Cristiano Preigchadt and Chan Ping On to be our Ambassador for the League. Our Ambassadors will provide advanced football coaching for the participating teams during the League period, to prepare them for the national and international tournaments which I have mentioned.
Indeed, Philips’ support for the game of football is not confined to Hong Kong or China. Next year, Philips will continue to be an official sponsor in the World Cup, which is one of the world’s biggest (if not THE biggest) events involving a single sport. This event will be held in Germany in 2006, and you may be interested to know that Philips is one of only three companies to have sponsored every World Cup since 1986.
You may ask why Philips is sponsoring football on the global level. The answer is simple. Philips is a truly global brand and football is a truly global sport. Both Philips and football have a history that spans more than a century. As Philips embraces the brand promise of Sense and Simplicity, football is also a sport that is simple to play but involves tactics based on sense. Above all, promoting football is one of the ways in which Philips endeavors to make the world better, healthier and happier – which has long been Philips’ core value and sustained vision.
Philips has been lighting up the game of football in both the metaphysical and literal sense. Not only do we give financial and spiritual support to the sport, our floodlights also light up 55% of the world’s major stadiums where football is played. So in more than one sense, Philips is shining in the world of sports.
Apart from sponsoring intervarsity football in Hong Kong, Philips also supports educational activities for the youth. Since 1999, Philips has been the chief sponsor for the Joint School Science Exhibition, which this year featured over 40 secondary schools and universities from Hong Kong and overseas.
Last but certainly not the least, I would like, on behalf of Philips, to wish you all the best in the coming few months and beyond. I hope that through taking part in the Philips Hong Kong Universities Football League, you will not only upgrade your football skills, but also make new and lasting friends who share the same love for sport and enthusiasm for life.
Thank you.
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