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Article of Dr Eric Li, Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) in support of Hong Kong Bid for the 2023 Asian Games:

The HKSI fully supports the proposal that Hong Kong bid for the 2023 Asian Games. As the Government’s delivery agent of elite training systems, we believe that hosting one of the key benchmark events for Hong Kong’s elite athletes will provide the impetus to significantly raise sport performance standards in Hong Kong. 

After the first six days of competition at the nearby Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games, Hong Kong athletes are putting everything on the line for Hong Kong’s sporting reputation, with four convincing gold medal performances among the 16 medals already secured. Wang Wan-yiu’s heroic performance during the women’s points race final cannot fail to move and inspire us all to overcome extraordinary challenges to achieve extraordinary success. With Guangzhou so close to Hong Kong, many supporters from Hong Kong were able to be there to witness her achievement and cheer her on.

The junior athletes are well aware that their time will come to step up to the senior ranks at an Asian Games. Occupying 95 top three 2009/10 Asian Championship positions, these athletes are already preparing themselves for the challenge and opportunity of a life time – to showcase Hong Kong’s sporting prowess at the 2023 Asian Games. And it may very well be in Hong Kong in front of a home crowd! 

One of the benefits of hosting a Major Games event is the increase in medal returns for the host city or nation. Hong Kong itself experienced this phenomenon in 2009 when hosting the East Asian Games (EAG). The medal count which had never previously exceeded 13, jumped to 110, a massive eight-fold increase, which placed Hong Kong 4th on the medal table. Following the 2009 EAG, a HKSI survey of the athletes revealed that over 95% of athletes reported that the home advantage factor significantly influenced their performance. As a gold medal athlete reported, “It was so meaningful and exciting to be able to share the success and joy with my family and friends at the competition. This was a fantastic experience and honour!”

The 2009 EAG, ignited community awareness of, and engagement with elite sport development; it provided exciting opportunities for the Hong Kong public to personally witness the athletes’ successes; it mobilised strong community spirit; and a sense of ownership and pride in Hong Kong’s sporting achievements. To facilitate a sustained community focus on, and support of, sport development in Hong Kong, the next logical step is to bid to host the Asian Games.

The right to host a Major Games is a highly sought after prize among our competitors as it is seen as method to fast track elite sports development at all levels throughout the community. Hosting the 2023 Asian Games would present a unique opportunity to promote Hong Kong’s brand personality, as a vibrant, diverse society where multiple forms of excellence are valued and lauded; and where initiatives which add value to community quality of life experiences, and create a healthy lifestyle legacy for future generations, are supported over short-term financial considerations.

For all these reasons, the HKSI supports the proposal that Hong Kong bid to host the 2023 Asian Games.