Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games
The 2009 EAG, the first international multi-sport games ever held in Hong Kong, took place from December 5 to 13, 2009. The Department worked closely with 2009 East Asian Games (Hong Kong) Limited, the SF&OC and the relevant NSAs to prepare for the Games.
The Government invested more than $1.2 billion in the construction of the new Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground and in upgrading 13 existing LCSD venues and facilities to the required international standards for the organisation of the Games' competition events. All of the competition venues were decorated with the EAG theme to enhance the sporting and festive atmosphere.
To raise the general public's awareness of Hong Kong as the EAG host city and to generate greater support for the Games, a series of promotional activities were held. The key activities included the 200-day countdown celebration event, the unveiling of the handprints wall at the Kowloon Park piazza, the staging of an EAG roving exhibition at various venues throughout the territories, and the launching of a new Announcement of Public Interest campaign on TV and radio in August and November, 2009 and during the Games.
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In the run-up to the EAG, more intensive publicity programmes were rolled out. For example, more than 300 district support programmes were organised by the 18 districts, and a City Dress-Up programme was implemented. This programme featured new banners, lamppost buntings and billboards with EAG messages displayed at cultural venues, parks, and playgrounds and on government buildings and thoroughfares in various districts. In addition, the Hong Kong International Airport was decorated with the EAG theme and imagery, including the departure and arrival halls and the baggage reclaim area, and banners were placed on the air bridges and lamppost buntings of the major roads leading to the airport. Similar publicity measures were also arranged at other ports of entry to promote the EAG to overseas visitors and passengers.
To encourage the active support of the entire community for this prestigious international multi-sport event, a 100-day Countdown cum Torch Relay was held on August 29, 2009. Sixty-five torchbearers took part in the Relay, which started at Kowloon Park and then passed through the Tsim Sha Tsui district before sailing across the Victoria Harbour onboard the government vessel, the Tin Hau, and ending up at the Golden Bauhinia Square. A 100-day Countdown to the Hong Kong 2009 EAG Show was also staged as a live television broadcast the same evening, with a viewing audience of more than a million. In addition, from September to November, over 500 primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutions, with the participation of more than 400 000 students and teachers, took part in a School Torch Relay programme to spread the EAG spirit in schools and in the community at large.
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The Government solicited the help of its overseas Economic and Trade Offices to publicise the Games internationally. It also joined hands with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, travel agents and airlines to implement measures to make it easier for potential overseas visitors to buy EAG tickets.
The EAG competition events were staged at 16 government venues, four private venues and various road sections during the Games period. Approximately 2 100 athletes from nine countries and regions participated in about 1 100 competition events in 22 sports. The Games attracted more than 300 000 spectators. The HKSAR sent upwards of 380 athletes and 100 officials to participate in the EAG, and these Hong Kong athletes made great achievements, winning a total of 110 medals, including 26 gold medals.
The Games were a great success, thanks to the support of the relevant government departments/organisations that took part in the planning and provision of various services, including traffic management and transport, accommodation and catering, immigration and security, and accreditation and hospitality. All the services were delivered satisfactorily to the numerous Games participants, including athletes, referees, team officials and guests.
The EAG Opening Ceremony was held at the piazza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Victoria Harbour on December 5, 2009. This was the first time to hold such a ceremony against the backdrop of Hong Kong's magnificent harbour, complemented by a floating stage, a parade of adorned vessels and a fireworks display, and it was very well-received and highly commended by the guests, athletes and the public. The Closing Ceremony held on December 13, 2009 at the Hong Kong Coliseum marked the successful completion of the Games, with the handing over of the EAG Association flag to the next host city, Tianjin.
