Promotion team: Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing and East Asian Games mascots distribute the games leaflets outside the Legislative Council Building.

Four-hundred Hong Kong athletes will take part in December's 2009 East Asian Games.

Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing told legislators today more than 3,000 sportsmen from nine countries and territories will compete in Hong Kong, including 500 from the Mainland, 400 from Japan and 300 from Korea.

The competition will be held in 16 government venues, four non-government premises and some sections of public road. Mr Tsang said preparations are progressing well.

Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground opened in May, and construction of the new Jockey Club International BMX Park will be completed this month.

Test events will be held at various venues prior to the games.

From early November, thematic design decorations at the venues will be erected.

A new themed television series Glamour of Sport will launch this month introducing the Hong Kong athletes, the venues and preparations for the games.

The medal design will be announced early next month.

The opening and closing ceremonies, and the semi-finals and finals of 10 competition events - aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, cue sports, soccer, rugby sevens, table tennis, tennis and volleyball - will be broadcast live.

Tickets for the games are available at 23 HK Ticketing outlets or through its website. Most tickets cost $50 to $100.