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Hong Kong soccer fans will have the long-awaited opportunity to see the Real Madrid Football Club in live action at Hong Kong Stadium on August 8, 2003.

At today's (July 8) contract signing ceremony on Real Madrid's visit, it was announced that the star-studded team will be pitted against the Chinese National Football Team in one of the Government-sponsored mega-events of the Relaunch Hong Kong campaign.

Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, said: "The visit of the top Spanish football team, which boosts some of the world's most popular superstars including Beckham, Zidane and Ronaldo, will showcase Hong Kong as a truly world-class city, an ideal venue for international sports and cultural events, and a powerful magnet for investment and tourism.

"The enthusiasm generated by the duel between this super squad and our national team will no doubt stimulate domestic spending, too.

"To our local football players, the match affords a rare chance to observe and learn from the best of the best at close quarters," Dr Ho added.

The match will start at 8 pm on August 8.

The amount of Government sponsorship for the event will depend on the revenue from ticket sales and other commercial sponsorship.

Details about ticket sales will be announced later.

End/Tuesday, July 8, 2003

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