The Force's 67-member delegation to the recent World Police & Fire Games in Barcelona has amassed 61 medals, comprising 18 gold, 23 silver and 20 bronze medals.

Referring to the delegation's achievement at a reception held in honour of the medal winners, the Police Sports Council Chairman, Mr Mike Dowie, said: "I am led to understand that this is the highest haul ever by a Hong Kong Police team.

Joyful moment for rugby players

"Although winning medals is very important, it is not the only benefit of participating in the World Police & Fire Games. There remains a huge interest in the Hong Kong Police with its racial and cultural mixture of local and expatriates as well as attracting the interest of such VIPs as the King of Spain who attended throughout the opening ceremony.

"The Force needs to examine its objectives behind participation and further build on maximising the benefits for future participation, as well as advertising the Force and Hong Kong," Mr Dowie said.

About 20,000 players from 58 countries and places took part in the Games.

Meanwhile, members of the Rugby Club's 7's team, who had trained hard for months in order to contribute to the delegation's overall success, had been rewarded with a silver medal after losing to the British Prison Services in the finals.

Before reaching the finals, it had beaten such notable teams as the New South Wales ACT Fire Services and the Paris Fire Brigade.

The Force team obtained a total of 38 medals, including 17 Gold, in the last World Police and Fire Games held in Indianapolis in 2001.