HANG SENG TABLE TENNIS ACADEMY WINS INTERNATIONAL HONOUR

Hang Seng Bank has received a prestigious international award for its contribution to the promotion of table tennis in Hong Kong through the setting up of the Hang Seng Table Tennis Academy (HSTTA) in 2001.

The Gold Quill Award, from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), came five months after Hang Seng received an accolade in the PRWeek Awards 2001 for launching the HSTTA. Mr Vincent Cheng, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive of the Bank, said: "We are delighted that the Bank's long-term commitment to promoting table tennis has won international recognition. Hang Seng has long been a keen supporter of sports in Hong Kong. "Through the Academy, we wish to promote healthy living and help build up public enthusiasm, especially among young people, for the sport. As a table tennis enthusiast, I highly recommend the sport to the public. Table tennis improves your physical well-being and enhances your will to succeed. These traits are very essential in the present highly-demanding and ever-changing environment." The Hon Timothy Fok, President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and Patron of the HSTTA, commended the achievements made by the Academy, saying: "Table tennis counts as one of the most popular sports of Hong Kong, a feat rendered possible in part because of the keen work of the Hang Seng Table Tennis Academy. The level of the game has improved dramatically from recreation to competition. We look forward to our players vying for top honors in tournaments, regional and world championships, right up to the Olympics. "Any recognition, including the most prestigious Gold Quill Award, bestowed on the Academy shall encourage it to try even harder to achieve results and spread the appeal of the game." Mr Tony Yue, Chairman of Hong Kong Table Tennis Association, said: "Hang Seng well deserved the Gold Quill Award. True to its corporate spirit 'Exceed. Excel.', Hang Seng has not only been instrumental in the establishment of the first table tennis academy in Hong Kong but also given valuable contributions to its operation. It has always been giving something 'extra' to the community." The HSTTA is the first academy for a single sport in Hong Kong. It was established in March 2001 on the foundation of the former Hang Seng Table Tennis Development Programme, which was launched in 1991. The HSTTA is presented by the Hong Kong Table Tennis Association; supported by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Sports Development Board; and sponsored by Hang Seng Bank. The Academy aims to raise the standard of table tennis in Hong Kong and provide comprehensive training and development programmes for table tennis enthusiasts in a systematic manner. It is expected to benefit about 30,000 participants from 2001 to 2003. Hang Seng has contributed more than HK$12 million to support various table tennis activities over the past 11 years. Its sponsorship of the HSTTA in the coming two years will take its total sponsorship amount for the promotion of the sport to over HK$15 million. A participation rate of over 150,000 has been achieved since 1991. Details of the Academy's events are available on the Academy's website at www.hktta.org.hk/hstta or by contacting the Academy Registry on 2575 5330. Hang Seng's long-term contribution to sports development has been recognised in the form of the 'Outstanding Marketing Contributor to Sport Award' in the 4th Excellence in Sports Marketing Awards organised by the Hong Kong Sports Development Board. Hang Seng is the only sport sponsor to have won this prestigious Award and it has won it twice since 1998. The IABC's Gold Quill Awards programme has a history of more than 25 years. Judging was done by an international panel of senior communicators from the US, Canada, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Headquartered in the US, IABC is an international organisation that helps professionals and corporations to achieve excellence in strategic communication, ranging from public relations and public affairs to corporate communication and marketing communication. With more than 100 chapters, IABC serves 13,500 members in 60 countries and 10,000 organisations. Founded in 1933, Hang Seng Bank, a principal member of the HSBC Group and the second largest listed bank in Hong Kong, operates 154 branches and automated banking centres in Hong Kong; branches in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Fuzhou; and representative offices in Beijing, Xiamen and Taipei. With consolidated assets of HK$475 billion at the end of 2001, the Bank reported a profit attributable to shareholders of more than HK$10 billion for the year 2001. For further information on Hang Seng, please visit the Bank's website at www.hangseng.com.