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The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, today (September 10) called on the President of the Japanese Olympic Committee, Mr Tsunekazu Takeda, in Tokyo.
During the meeting, Mr Tsang highlighted the latest sports developments in Hong Kong, in particular Hong Kong's intention to bid for the right to host the 2023 Asian Games.
"We believe that the hosting of a major international sports event such as the Asian Games would help stimulate greater public interest in sports. Moreover, through participation in international competitions, the performance of elite athletes in the region including Hong Kong and Japan will be further enhanced, while friendship among athletes of participating countries and places will also be strengthened," Mr Tsang told Mr Takeda, who said he was glad to learn of Hong Kong's commitment to promoting and developing sports.
In June this year, the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, with the support of the SAR Government, issued a letter of intent to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), expressing an interest to bid for the right to host the Asian Games.
The election of the host cities for the 2019 and 2023 Asian Games will take place in the OCA General Assembly to be held next year in Tokyo.
Mr Tsang today also met the Director of the Japan-Hong Kong Friendship Parliamentarians League, Mr Banri Kaieda, and the President of the Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association, Mr Takashi Tsujii.
Mr Tsang will depart for Nagoya tomorrow and will return to Hong Kong on September 13.
Ends/Friday, September 10, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:08
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