"To find the way out for those who are neglected!"

"MSF Orienteering Competition 2007" was successfully held today at Wan Tsai, Sai Kung. Over 1,600 participants join this sporting event to support medical humanitarian relief works of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

It is the sixth year that MSF-Hong Kong (MSF-HK) organises the Orienteering Competition and it has been the largest event of its kind in Hong Kong since it was launched. The theme of this year's competition is to find the way out for those who are neglected. We hope to raise awareness among participants about the hardship of the vulnerable populations in getting access to health care in remote areas, and to provide an opportunity for participants to catch a glimpse of the challenges encountered by our field volunteers.

Mr. Joe Kwok Jing-keung, FSDSM, JP, Director of Fire Services hosts the kick-off ceremony of the Competition and the VIP Race. Dr. Tse Tsz-wah, President of MSF-HK says that when MSF volunteers provide assistance in the field, they often encounter the problem of lack of access to affordable essential medicines. He points out that Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis is legally challenging the Indian Government on drug patent issue and this may restrict the production of affordable generic drugs in India. "Millions of patients in developing countries may have to bear unaffordable drugs," he said. He calls on the public to sign on MSF on-line petition (www.msf.org.hk) to urge Novartis to drop the case.

Dr. Ko Wing-man, one of the guests of VIP Race also points out that the price of some medicines is too high for developing countries. He emphasises that he does not mean to disregard intellectual property but it is the social responsibility of pharmaceutical companies to let patients in developing world have access to essential medicines.

Ms. Yip Pui-yin, the 19-year-old Doha Asian Games Silver Medallist (Badminton), exclaims that it is very meaningful to join the Orienteering Competition to support MSF. Medallists of Doha Asian Games (windsurfing) - Mr. Chan King-yin, Mr. Ho Chi-ho and Ms. Chan Wai-kei - also participate in today's event. Together with their friend, they form the "HiWindLover" team to join the VIP Race.

Representatives from medical, political and performing art sectors and DJs from radio station also join the VIP Race enthusiastically together with MSF volunteers to enhance the spirit of the event.

Without the support from different government departments and organisations, including AIA Foundation, Sunlink International Holdings Limited, Fire Services Department, Immigration Department and Hong Kong Police Force, MSF Orienteering Competition 2007 cannot be held successfully.

Special thanks to co-presenter Orienteering Association of Hong Kong, sponsors The Overlander, Swiss International Air Lines, Dragonair, Swire Resources Limited, Chan Man Chau Fruit Company Limited, Swire Coca-Cola HK, InnoBiz, Diving Adventure, Correctional Services Staff Volunteer Group (CSSVG), Hong Kong Adventure Corps, Akinalliance, Hong Kong Orienteering Club, Hong Kong Orienteers Limited, New Direction Orienteering Club, The Volunteers Orienteering Club, St. John Ambulance and Metro Radio.

List of VIP Teams (not in order of precedence)

  1. Pioneers of Democracy (Democratic Party: Hon Sin Chung-kai, Mr. Joe Wong Tak-chuen, Mr. Ng Kim-sing, Mr. Wong Sing-chi)
  2. DAB Team (DAB: Hon Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, Mr. Leung Ka-ki, Mr. Wallace Yeung Hon-sing, Mr. Lawrence Chiu Chi-ho)
  3. Friends of the Liberals (Liberal Party: Hon Howard Young, Mr. Kenny Tam, Mr. Francis Leung, Mr. Yeung Siu-hoi) --Second Runner-up
  4. Civic Competition (Civic Party: Hon Audrey Eu Yuet-mee, Mr. Bond Ng, Ms. Christine Hung)
  5. Energetic Action (Doha Asian Games Silver Medallist (Badminton) Ms. Yip Pui-yin, MSF Volunteers  Ms.  Carmen Lee, Dr. Arthur Pang and friend Mr. Marcus Lo) --   Champion
  6. HiWindLover (Doha Asian Games Champion (Windsurfing) Mr. Chan King-yin, Silver Medallist (Windsurfing) Mr. Ho Chi-ho, Ms. Chan Wai-kei and friend Mr. Ying Tsz-to) -- First Runner-up
  7. Medical Care Without Borders (Dr. Ko Wing-man, MSF Volunteers Ms. Penny Wong, Dr. Enders Ng, Dr. Kenneth Chan)
  8. Artiste Team (Mr. Kenny Kwan, Mr. Vincent Wong, Ms. Charmaine Fong & Ms. Vangie Tang)
  9. Metro Showbiz Team (Ben To, Bob Lam and Ricky Fan)
  10. Metro Finance Team (Virginia Siu, Lui Yuen Ying, Leung Kai Lok, Luk Wing Yi and Wong Sui Lan)
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