Hong Kong is capable of hosting international comprehensive sports games, Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing says, adding bidding for the 2023 Asian Games should be regarded as an investment.
Speaking on radio talk shows this morning, Mr Tsang said the city's good law and order situation, social cohesion, well-established communication and transport networks, and convenient immigration procedures make it a good place for hosting international sports events.
Noting sports development is also a livelihood issue, he reiterated that most of the operation cost set out in the consultation paper will be used to build sports facilities in the coming 13 years. Many of the facilities have been planned for some time and will be built whether Hong Kong bids for the games or not.
Although Hong Kong enjoys many advantages in organising major sports events, its sports facilities must be upgraded to meet international standards.
Indirect benefits
Hosting games is different from running a business as it generates many indirect benefits - including enhancing the city's public health and social cohesion, building up Hong Kong's reputation and attracting more talent and investment, Mr Tsang said.
An athletes' village of 3,000 flats can be planned, built and operated by private developers or public organisations, but the Government is open to views on the issue, he added.
The Government will carefully study views collected in the consultation exercise. If it decides to bid for the games, it will seek the Legislative Council Finance Committee's support before submitting its formal bid document.
