***********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:
The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded "M" Mark status to the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open, to be held from September 8 to 14.
The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr William Ko, said today (September 2) that the event, like all "M" Mark events, will add colour and vibrancy to Hong Kong and help attract more visitors.
"'M' Mark events showcase Hong Kong's capability to host world-class events and reinforce its position as the events capital of Asia," Mr Ko said.
"'M' Mark events also help generate economic benefits for Hong Kong by attracting tourists. They also instil a sustainable sporting culture in the community, and help foster a sense of pride and social cohesion," he added.
The "M" Mark System has been in operation since 2004 to help local national sports associations (NSAs) organise more major sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria, in terms of economic benefits, the impact on sports development and the good track record of the organisers, will be granted "M" Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some of the event organisers.
The number of recognised "M" Mark events has increased from four in 2005 to 13 in 2014. So far, a total of $79.39 million has been approved to support recognised "M" Mark events.
To mark the 10th anniversary of the "M" Mark System, the MSEC has launched the "M" Mark Sports Event Awards to recognise the contributions of NSAs and event sponsors in bringing major international sports events to Hong Kong. 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.
For details regarding the "M" Mark Sports Event Awards and application for "M" Mark status, please visit the "M" Mark events website at www.mevents.org.hk. "M" Mark applications for smartphone users are also available for downloading from iTunes as well as Google Play.
Ends/Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Issued at HKT 12:00
NNNN