"And a one, and a two, and...": Leisure & Cultural Services Director Anissa Wong encourages the elderly to partake in more exercise and sport.

A scheme encouraging the elderly to maintain a healthy lifestyle through exercise and sport has been launched.

The Leisure & Cultural Services Department will provide free sports facilities for voluntary organisations to organise activities for the aged.

Department head Anissa Wong said the health of senior citizens has always been a top Government concern.

"Improving the quality of life for the elderly is also one of the Government's policy objectives. What's more, 'elderly ambassadors' are being invited to act as coaches who can teach the participants to get the most enjoyment out of sport," she said.

Under the Healthy Elderly Scheme, people aged 60 or above can participate, at no charge, in recreational and sports activities during non-peak hours at the department's sports centres in 18 districts.

Through to March next year, the scheme will offer 381 free programmes for as many as 45,000 participants. Some programmes have been running since May.

Free programmes include table tennis, badminton, gateball, indoor lawn bowls, American pool, indoor golf, tai chi, baduanjin, elderly fitness, social dance, Chinese dance, chess, and arts and crafts.

Senior citizens who wish to join the scheme can call the department hotline 2414 5555 for details.