Applications for bun scrambling competition to end on April 25
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    Applications for the Bun Scrambling Competition of the "Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of HKSAR - 2007 Bun Carnival" will close next Wednesday (April 25).

     The bun scrambling competition will be held at the Pak Tai Temple Playground soccer pitch, Cheung Chau, beginning at 11.30pm on May 24.

     Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the "Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of HKSAR - 2007 Bun Carnival" will run from May 12 to May 25 at the Pak Tai Temple Playground soccer pitch.

     The event is assisted by the Cheung Chau Wai Chiu County Association Limited, Cheung Chau Rural Committee, Islands District Office of the Home Affairs Department and Hong Kong Mountaineering Union, and sponsored by the Islands District Council and 3D-GOLD Jewellery.

     The bun scrambling competition comprises three stages - training for the bun tower climb, selection of finalists and the final competition.

     Healthy and physically fit people aged 18 or above are welcome to join the competition.

     If more than 100 people apply to take part in the training session, places will be allocated by ballot. Applicants who live, work or study on Cheung Chau will be given priority in the ballot.

     The 100 selected applicants must complete the safety training sessions provided by the Hong Kong Mountaineering Union on May 12 and 13 for the bun tower climb and on accident prevention.

     On completion of the training sessions, they can participate in the selection of the 12 finalists in the afternoon of May 19.

     The shortlisted finalists will enter the final competition which begins at 11.30pm on May 24 and ends about 12.30am on May 25.

     The competitor who gets the highest total score of buns within the time limit from the bun Tower will be the winner. There will also be a first runner-up and second runner-up.

     Cheung Chau local organisations and athletes from neighbouring places are invited to take part in the Bun Scrambling Invitation Relay.

     Eight teams of three members will compete in the relay to be staged after the bun scrambling competition. The team that grabs the designated buns on the bun tower in the shortest time will be the winner.

     The prospectus and enrolment forms for the bun scrambling competition are available for collection at the 18 District Leisure Services Offices, and from co-organiser and assisting organisers. Interested parties may also visit the Leisure and Cultural Services Department website at www.lcsd.gov.hk.

     Completed enrolment forms should be returned or mailed to the Islands District Leisure Services Office of the department at Room 622, 6/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong, on or before April 25. The forms can also be faxed to 2854 3949.

     Festival-goers will have the chance to climb a smaller version of the bun tower during a carnival on May 20 and the Hong Kong Mountaineering Union will give climbing demonstrations. There will also be games stalls.

     Participants can join in the Bun Tower Climbing Challenge by making on-site applications at the carnival. The Bun Tower Climbing Challenge is divided into four groups - the Masters Group (aged 35 or above), Adult Group (aged 18 to 34), Youth Group (aged below 18 and at least one metre tall) and Family Group (a team of two, each member must be at least one metre tall).

     Enquiries about the "Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of HKSAR - Bun Carnival 2007" can be made at the Islands District Leisure Services Office on 2852 3220, or browse the department's website, www.lcsd.gov.hk for more information.

Ends/Saturday, April 21, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:00

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