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Delegates from the member places of the East Asian Games Association (EAGA), the Vice-President of the Chinese Olympic Committee, Mr Cai Zhenhua, and women's 10,000 metres gold medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games Xing Huina will be in Hong Kong this weekend to see how the community is gearing up for the 2009 East Asian Games.
Delegates of the nine member places of the EAGA will meet in Hong Kong for the 22nd EAGA Council Meeting tomorrow (June 17), the council's first meeting in Hong Kong since the city took over the hosting rights for the 2009 Games.
The 5th EAG Planning Committee (EAGPC) will brief the council on the progress of Hong Kong's preparations for the 2009 Games.
The EAGA Council will meet annually in the territory until 2009.
While in Hong Kong, the delegates will attend the ground-breaking ceremony of Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground which, with its international standard athletics facilities, will be used as the venue for track and field competitions in the Games.
Mr Cai and Xing, who come specially to convey Beijing's support for the 2009 Games, will also attend the ground-breaking ceremony.
In the evening, the delegates will join a prize presentation ceremony for the 2009 East Asian Games Slogan Competition, which was held to enlist public participation in the preparation for the Games.
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, will host a dinner to extend the Government's warmest welcome to the Council Meeting delegates.
Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Michael Suen, will be present as the guest of honour and accept sponsorship cheques from donors for the 2009 Games.
Xing will have an exchange session with Hong Kong athletes and secondary school students at the Hong Kong Sports Institute tomorrow morning.
Ends/Friday, June 16, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:40
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