********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the "M" Mark System and Support Packages ("M" Mark System), the Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has launched the "M" Mark Sports Event Awards to recognise the contributions of national sports associations (NSAs) and event sponsors in bringing major international sports events to Hong Kong.
The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr William Ko, met the media today (February 7) to introduce the awards. "The MSEC established the 'M' Mark System in 2004 to enhance Hong Kong's image as a sports events capital in Asia. The number of recognised 'M' Mark events has grown from four events in 2005 to 15 events in 2014. So far, the Government has approved $68.79 million in funding support for 'M' Mark events. As at January 2014, 80 major sports events had been awarded the 'M' Mark qualification," said Mr Ko.
"We hope the award will provide members of the public with the chance to find out more about 'M' Mark events, and attract more sponsors to support the staging of major international sports events in Hong Kong," he added.
Organising NSAs and sponsors of "M" Mark events that take place in 2014 are eligible to be considered for awards in eight categories, namely the Most Outstanding "M" Mark Event of the Year, the Outstanding "M" Mark Event Marketing Award, the Outstanding Sponsoring Partner Award, the Outstanding Community Programme Award, the Outstanding Event Entertainment Award, the Outstanding Progress Award, the 10th Anniversary of "M" Mark Title Sponsor Appreciation Award, and the 10th Anniversary of "M" Mark Sponsor Appreciation Award.
The Convenor of the Working Group on "M" Mark Sports Events Awards, Ms Malina Ngai said, "This is the first award ever to commend the NSAs and sponsors and acknowledge their hard work in bringing in exciting sports events and promoting the local sports culture."
A Judging Panel comprising representatives of the sports sector and related industry experts will visit every nominated sports event and determine the winner in each category. An award presentation ceremony will be held in 2015.
For details regarding the "M" Mark events, please visit the "M" Mark events website at www.mevents.org.hk. "M" Mark applications for smartphone users are available for downloading from iTunes as well as Google Play.
Ends/Friday, February 7, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:50
NNNN
