The Link Community Sports Academy of The Link Real Estate Investment Trust (“The Link REIT”) was awarded the 2013 Asia Pacific Community Support Award, organised by the ICSC Foundation.

George Hongchoy, Chief Executive Officer of The Link Management Limited, said, “The Link Community Sports Academy encourages the use of The Link REIT’s facilities for the benefit of public health. I am delighted that our commitment to community engagement has been recognised by the series of sustainability awards that The Link REIT has received. The ICSC Foundation will contribute US$5,000 to support our partner the Hong Kong Blind Sports Federation, which makes the whole initiative even more meaningful.”

The ICSC Foundation Community Support Award was created to encourage and recognise outstanding community support and corporate social responsibility campaigns by shopping centres or management companies. The winner will be automatically entered into the international competition for the Albert Sussman International Community Support Award.

Established in June 2012, The Link Community Sports Academy provides free formal sports training to the general public in The Link REIT’s facilities, with the aim of promoting sports and enhancing health in the community. Since the programme’s inception, more than 2,500 people of different ages have participated in free training sessions covering a range of sports, including football, basketball, tennis, tai chi, bowling and roller skating. To encourage social inclusion, trainings for disabled people are also provided, including bowling for the visually and hearing impaired.