CE's speech at Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games One-year Countdown Ceremony (with photos/video)

CE's speech at Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games One-year Countdown Ceremony (with photos/video)
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     Following is the speech delivered by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games One-year Countdown Ceremony at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza this evening (December 5):

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     I'm delighted to join you all for the East Asian Games (EAG) One-year Countdown Ceremony.

     How time flies. Three years ago I received the EAG flag from Macau on behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. During these three years, we have been pushing full steam ahead with preparations to host the Games. We are now on the final lap. On this day next year the Games will begin.

     It will be our first time to host a large-scale multi-sports international Games. The event will feature 23 sports, a record in the EAG. The government is fully behind this prestigious event and the sports community and national sports associations are actively engaged in the preparatory work. In addition, commercial enterprises and community leaders have offered their generous sponsorship for the event.

     I am also encouraged by Hong Kong's volunteering spirit. More than 8,000 people have signed up for the Volunteer Programme, lending their time and effort to ensure the Games are a success.

     District Councils will assist in organising EAG promotional activities in their districts in the coming year to encourage community-wide involvement in the Games.

     Our athletes consistently show that they can compete on the world stage. No doubt, they will be eager to impress the home crowd next December.  The Government has provided additional funding of $20 million to help with their preparations for the Games so that they can give it their best shot.

     Our success as a co-host city for the Beijing 2008 Olympics - staging the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events - has given us valuable experience in the build-up to the EAG, as well as a great deal of confidence. The Olympic spirit remains strong across the city and we are looking forward to writing the next chapter of success in our sporting history.

     I congratulate the organising committee on the progress so far. The One-year Countdown Ceremony will help to unite the community behind your efforts and keep us on track for a memorable Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games.

     Thank you very much.

Ends/Friday, December 5, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:55

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