Healthy boost: Secretary for Home Affairs Dr Patrick Ho believes hosting the 5th East Asian Games will help foster Hong Kong's sporting culture.

The Chief Executive in Council has agreed in principle to support the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong in hosting the 5th East Asian Games in 2009, the Secretary for Home Affairs said today.

Dr Patrick Ho said the event will help foster Hong Kong's sporting culture and bring tangible benefits in employment and tourism.

By hosting the event, we can also show the world that Hong Kong is in name and reality an event capital, he added.

It will cost about $171 million, and bring in about $87 million in income. The anticipated deficit will be $84 million.

According to a preliminary feasibility assessment, Hong Kong is capable of hosting the games with about 20 competition events and the participation of 2,000 athletes from 11 countries or territories by using or upgrading existing venues.

The Government will start working with the committee soon on plans to tender Hong Kong's bid to the East Asian Games Association.

The East Asian Games is a major event and second only to the Asian Games in Asia.