Hong Kong won its bid to host the prestigious 5^th East Asia Games (EAG) in 2009. The decision was announced on November 3, 2003 following a meeting of the East Asian Games Association Council in Macau. It was immediately described as good for Hong Kong, good for sport and good for athletes in the region.

Chairman of the 5th East Asian Games (EAG) Bid Committee, Mr Timothy Fok (front, centre), announces Hong Kong's winning bid to host the 2009 EAG.

The win was the culmination of months of hard work and team effort by the bid committee, the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, the sports community and the government, with the tremendous support and encouragement of the Hong Kong community.

As part of the preparations for the games, the government will upgrade its sports facilities to the required standards and set up an appropriate institution to organise the event.

Over the next six years, the government and the LCSD will continue to galvanise support and encourage community involvement so that the games become a benchmark for East Asian sporting excellence as well as a driving force for greater sporting achievement throughout the region.