Secretary for Home Affairs Dr Patrick Ho says the 2008 Olympic equestrian events held in Hong Kong will raise the city's international status and arouse public awareness of sports development.

Speaking on a radio talk show this morning, Dr Ho said the events will also take Hong Kong's sports policy to a higher level, allowing the Government to seek more resources to promote sports and cater for athletes' long-term development.

Noting the Sports Institute will have to be vacated and converted into an Olympic-standard arena for the events, the secretary ensured that during the short reprovisioning period, athletes will be provided with a stable training environment that meets their needs.

The Wu Kai Sha Youth Village to be equipped with new sports facilities will become the athletes' main training venue. Other Leisure & Cultural Services Department venues will also provide the athletes all necessary facilities.

Dr Ho said the Beijing Organising Committee for the 29^th Olympiad Games will be responsible for the institute's reprovisioning expenses while the Hong Kong Jockey Club will reinstate and upgrade the institute's facilities before handing them back to the institute.