HONG KONG, March 21 -- Special Olympics Hong Kong (SOHK) joined forces with the Outstanding Young Person's Association (OYPA) to organize a charity golf tournament. This unique event, held at the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course, aimed to provide another chance for people with intellectual disabilities to hone their skills with golf amateurs, volunteers and local celebrities prior to the kickoff to the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Nine teams made up of about 60 golfers, plus three Special Olympics athletes, competed in the friendly 18-hole charity golf competition. Applauses and high fives were everywhere during the event as SOHK athletes and other participants shared golfing tips. Volunteers were on-hand to help out when they could. The charity golf event raised money to help the SOHK team join the World Games in Shanghai this October.

During the event, teams formed by senior professors from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University taught SOHK athletes how to keep calm during stressful competitions. At the same time, officials from the Hong Kong Physical Education Sector encouraged the athletes to do the best they can by demonstrating how to tee off correctly. After the seven-hour competition, the Li team took first place, followed by the OYPA team taking second.

"I've already won 20 medals," said bronze medalist athlete Wen Shan. "I really had a good time and I'm so happy today."

"I love to play golf during my spare time," said a volunteer from the Hong Kong office of the American International Assurance Company, Ltd. "It felt so good to play along with the SOHK athletes today; I'm really glad to be able to assist those who need help. I believe more and more people should take part in such charity events because we're all better off when we help each other out. I hope the SOHK athletes enjoy growing up and are able to experience the excitement of playing sports."

SOHK confirmed all of the proceeds raised from the charity tournament would be donated directly to the 2007 Summer World Games.

The 2007 Summer World Games in Shanghai marks the first time the event will be held in Asia, and only the second time it will be held outside the United States. In addition to some 7,000 athletes, Special Olympics expect the games will draw 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials and thousands of families, volunteers, spectators and journalists from every continent.

Special Olympics athletes of all ability levels will compete in 23 different Special Olympics and Olympic-type sports: Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cricket, Cycling, Dragon Boat Racing, Equestrian, Football (Soccer), Golf, Gymnastics, Judo, Kayaking, Powerlifiting, Roller Skating, Sailing, Softball, Table Tennis, Team Handball, Tennis and Volleyball, as well as the Motor Activities Training Program. Special Olympics athletes not competing in the World Games will play crucial leadership roles off the sports field as officials, assistant coaches, reporters and spokespeople.

Special Olympics Hong Kong:

Special Olympics Hong Kong (SOHK) was founded by a number of experts from special schools and government departments around Hong Kong . The first SOHK games were held in 1975 with more than 500 participants joining in a one-day athletic event. Today over 9,000 athletes from more than 100 agencies participate in SOHK. Over 40,000 athletes get involved annually in the year-round training sessions and competitions. Events include Athletics, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Rowing, Snowshoeing, Swimming, Table Tennis and Volleyball.