GIVE US AN H ! GIVE US A K ! DENVER’S GLAMOROUS CHEERLEADERS HEAD FOR THE CITY OF LIFE

Hong Kong’s male population is in for a treat this weekend when the entire 26-strong cheerleading team from top American football side, the Denver Broncos, will be jetting into Hong Kong. Renowned for their beauty and athleticism, the cheerleaders are coming to take part in the Cathay Pacific Chinese New Year Parade on 24 January, organised by the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA).

The cheerleaders were given a special media send-off in Denver last week by the HKTA’s Regional Director – The Americas, Ms Lily Shum.

Among the girls coming to Hong Kong is the current Miss Colorado, Katee Doland, who will be taking part in the Miss USA beauty pageant next month. Director of cheerleaders Teresa Schroeder and associate Shawna Arnold complete the party.

Before next Wednesday afternoon’s Parade, the girls will spend time taking in Hong Kong’s breathtaking sights, as well as experiencing some of its traditions in a harbourfront tai chi session and exploring the nightlife in Lan Kwai Fong.

They will also visit a bauhinia tree to see the Hong Kong SAR’s emblem growing in its natural habitat – significant because the HKSAR Government has recently agreed to present a bauhinia sapling to the people of Colorado, where it will be planted in a new Chinese courtyard due to open in the Denver Botanic Gardens this spring.

During the 90-minute Chinese New Year parade itself, they will perform a specially-created routine, assisted by 24 members of the Hong Kong Mini Rugby Football Union – probably the most envied males in Hong Kong right now !

In total, the 2001 Cathay Pacific Chinese New Year Parade will feature 13 beautifully-decorated floats, 12 international performing groups and 26 local performing groups. For the first time, it will be relayed live by Shanghai TV to more than 1,700 television stations across the Mainland, as well as being seen by millions more viewers worldwide.