The findings of a survey conducted by the Macau General Union of Neighbourhood Associations (commonly known as Kai Fong in Cantonese) show that only 36.63 percent of 1,092 respondents said they had exercised in the past three months, i.e., between December last year and March this year, a “significant decrease” of 34.31 percentage points compared to 70.94 percent last year.

The associations’ representatives Chan Meng Kei, Lok Nam Tak and Ho Weng Hong announced the findings yesterday during a press conference at Group Gallery on Avenida do General Castelo Branco.

According to the press conference, the survey entitled “Macau Residents’ Post-Pandemic Physical Fitness, Sports Participation and Future Prospects” was conducted on March 4, when members of the associations collected 1,092 valid questionnaires from local residents aged over 16.

In response to the question whether they are depressed or fearful about contracting COVID-19 in the future, about 26 percent of the respondents who had not been infected with the novel coronavirus over the past three months expressed their worries about and fear of the disease.

The findings show that only 33.06 percent of the respondents know that Macau will co-host the National Games, down by 14.71 percentage points from 47.77 percent last year, with only 24.73 percent saying that they would consider volunteering for the National Games, indicating a low level of willingness to participate in the event.

However, the findings also show that only about 10 percent of the respondents do not support Macau co-hosting the National Games or holding other sports competitions in the city, indicating that the general public is open to sports events.

As to whether the respondents think that Macau’s sports venues are sufficient, the findings indicate that 20.88 percent said that they [sports venues] “are not enough” or  “very insufficient”, a decrease of 10.75 percentage points compared to 31.63 percent last year, showing, according to the representatives, that the government has continued to optimise and “effectively” meet the community’s needs.

The representatives urged the government to promote different types of low-intensity exercise on weekdays, so as to enable residents to exercise and improve their physical fitness in a safe environment.

Although civil society is “gradually returning to normal”, it does not mean that the COVID-19 pandemic has disappeared, the representatives warned, adding that the Health Bureau (SSM) predicted early this year that there could be another peak of COVID-19 within a few months when people’s immunity begins to decline.

The representatives pointed out that long-term anxiety and fear will affect residents’ mental health as well as their daily activities. The representatives said they hoped that the government will help residents to prepare themselves well for the possibility of another COVID-19 outbreak in the future, and at the same time, encourage the public to get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, while also strengthening the promotion of mass sports, so that residents can face the pandemic in a “healthy way”.

In response to the respondents’ perception that the number of sports venues in Macau is insufficient, the representatives urged the government to continue to improve the existing sports venues and facilities, as well as to speed up the construction of sports venues and sitting-out areas in Zone A.

Moreover, the representatives urged the government to continue to invest resources in identifying and cultivating local top athletes to prepare for the upcoming National Games, while at the same raising public awareness of the National Games, which will take place in 2025.

Kai Fong’s sports days to start Saturday

Meanwhile, according to a separate press conference yesterday, the associations will hold its annual sports days from Saturday through June 23. The event, which includes competitions such as croquet, softball and Tai Chi, aims to enhance public awareness of mass sports. 

Ho Weng Hong (from right to left), Lok Nam Tak and Chan Meng Kei, representatives of the Macau General Union of Neighbourhood Associations (UGAMM – Kai Fong), release the group’s sports and fitness survey during yesterday’s press conference at Group Gallery on Avenida do General Castelo Branco. – Photo: Yuki Lei