******************
The Board of Directors of the 2009 East Asian Games (Hong Kong) Limited (EAGCO) today (September 26) pledged to stage the most successful EAG, following a decision by the Rules and Technical Committee of the East Asian Games Association last Saturday that there would be 21 competition sports and two exhibition sports at the 2009 EAG in Hong Kong.
"We are pleased that the Rules and Technical Committee has adopted the sports programme proposal made by the EAG Planning Committee. The early confirmation of sports will enable all parties concerned to proceed with concrete preparation and planning work on the organisation of the Games. The consensus reached also reflected the fraternity amongst EAG member places," Tim Fok, Chairman of the EAGCO, said.
"These items represent the largest number of sports ever to be held in one single EAG. There will be a good mix of sports for the athletes of EAG member places to compete. These items have good spectator appeal both locally and in other EAG member places, and will make the 2009 EAG an attractive and successful event," Mr Fok added.
"The EAGCO will continue to work closely with the Planning Committee, the sports community, the Government and relevant sectors in the community to ensure Hong Kong will play host to the most successful East Asian Games," Mr Fok pledged after the Board meeting today.
The Company Board noted that a detailed infrastructure development/upgrading programme, which will have legacy value for the long term sports development of Hong Kong, would be submitted by the Government to the Legislative Council for consideration later this year. The Board noted that the Government has earmarked over $1 billion to develop new and improve existing venues. Over $300 million has been approved by the Legislative Council for the development of the new Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. The Government would seek further funding of over $700 million from the Legislative Council for the upgrading of over 10 existing venues towards the end of the year.
The 21 competition sports for the 2009 EAG are aquatics, athletics, table-tennis, cycling, squash, rowing, badminton, windsurfing, wushu, tenpin bowling, football, hockey, volleyball, tennis, bodybuilding, shooting, basketball, weightlifting, billiards, judo and taekwondo, while the two exhibition items are rugby sevens and dancesport.
Sixteen of the items are Olympic sports.
In the 2005 EAG in Macau, 17 sports were held.
"Many of these are popular local items, and we are excited that Hong Kong athletes will have the opportunity in 2009 to compete on the home soil and in front of the home crowd in a major international multi-sport event in the region," Mr Fok said.
The 5th EAG would be held in Hong Kong in December 2009 - the first time ever for a major international multi-sport event to be held in our history.
Ends/Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:43
NNNN
