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| No.8 November, 2009 |
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East Asian Games preparation goes smoothly |
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 Preparations for the December 5 East Asian Games in Hong Kong are progressing smoothly with all venues now ready for competition.
Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Carrie Yau, recently told a media briefing the Hong Kong Jockey Club International BMX Park which opened on October 31 had already been tested and used for holding international events.
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"Temporary overlay works and thematic design and decorations are being done at various competition venues. They are expected to be completed this month," Mrs Yau said.
"Other arrangements such as transport, security, medical and anti-doping, food safety, hospitality, accommodation and media arrangements have all been set."
Mrs Yau said the success of the Games depended on solidarity and co-operation from all stakeholders, stressing that without a good audience, no games in the world could claim to be a success.
The Chief Executive Officer of 2009 East Asian Games (Hong Kong) Limited, Mr Johnny Woo, said at the press briefing that the number of athletes taking part in the EAG was about 2,300, including 53 Beijing Olympics medallists and 83 Doha Asian Games medallists.
He said the opening ceremony of the Games will take place on a floating stage on Victoria Harbour against the impressive Hong Kong skyline. It will be put together by the team that produced the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. A boat parade by more than 40 vessels and a spectacular fireworks show will add colour to the ceremony. The closing ceremony will be held at the Hong Kong Coliseum where the EAG flag and flame will be handed over to the next EAG host city, Tianjin.
Regarding the preparatory work, Mr Woo said that the EAG organiser had laid down house rules for maintaining order at the venues so as to ensure that the competitions would be held in a safe and smooth manner.
On accommodation, 11 hotels and a recreation centre will provide accommodation, catering services and conference facilities/services to all participating VIPs, delegations, athletes and referees.
On catering, caterers have been appointed to provide catering services at the competition venues and the Media Centre for VIPs, athletes, team officials, referees, workers, volunteers and media. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has been working closely with the EAG Company by conducting visits and giving advice to the appointed caterers on menu design and implementation of appropriate food safety management systems to ensure food safety and the provision of quality food for EAG participants.
Mr Woo said that the EAG organiser was working with the Hospital Authority, Fire Services Department, Auxiliary Medical Services and St. John Ambulance Brigade to provide medical and emergency services including at the competition venues and other venues.
On ticket sales, more than 60% of the tickets have been sold. Of the 22 sports events, tickets for 10 have been sold out, including diving, swimming, bowling, cue sports, BMX, indoor cycling, dancesport, judo, taekwondo and wushu. Tickets for athletics and shooting were sold out last Wednesday and today respectively. There are limited tickets left for the opening ceremony and badminton events. People wishing to watch the games at the venues should grab the chance to get the tickets.
The Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mrs Betty Fung said that apart from promoting sports, the EAG also provided a good opportunity to promote the culture and arts of the EAG participating countries/regions. To enhance public interest and sense of participation, there will be a variety of cultural programmes to highlight the "Cultural EAG", including dance performances, drumming, dramas and carnivals with the performers coming from various participating countries/regions of the Games.
Mrs Fung said that in order to foster cultural exchange and friendship with the countries/regions participating in the EAG, the EAG Company will hold a "Cultural Night" during the Games period.
A cultural extravaganza will also be held between midday and 10pm on December 9, 10 and 11 when Chinese Taipei Night, Korea Night and Japan Night are to be held respectively to showcase the culture, cuisine and handicraft of the three places. Members of public are welcome to join and admission is free.
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