Sporting history: East Asian Games (Hong Kong) Chief Executive Officer Johnny Woo and Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Carrie Yau urge the public to get their games tickets before they sell out.

Sports fans wanting to savour the action of the 2009 East Asian Games and be a part of Hong Kong history should grab their tickets now as more events are selling out.

This was the message today from 2009 East Asian Games (Hong Kong) Chief Executive Officer Johnny Woo, adding tickets for athletics and shooting sold out in recent days. It brings to 12 the number of sold-out disciplines, after diving, swimming, bowling, cue sports, BMX, indoor cycling, dancesport, judo, taekwondo and wushu.

With more than 60% of games tickets now sold, he said there are some left for the opening and closing ceremonies, and the 10 remaining disciplines, encouraging the public to book tickets soon.

Noting final rehearsals will be held on November 28, he said 2,300 athletes will participate in the games, which is expected to attract more than 200,000 spectators, including more than 10,000 tourists.

The opening ceremony will take place on a floating stage on Victoria Harbour against the Hong Kong skyline. It is being orchestrated by the same production team behind the Beijing Olympics' opening, and will feature a boat parade and fireworks spectacular.

Venues

Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Carrie Yau said preparation work for the games has been smooth, with upgrades to and construction of all competition venues completed.

"Temporary overlay works and thematic design and decorations are being conducted in various competition venues. They are expected to be completed within this month," she said. "Other arrangements such as transport, security, medical and anti-doping, food safety, hospitality, accommodation and media arrangements have all been set."

The events will be held in 16 government venues, four non-government premises and some sections of public road. Most are easily accessible by public transport. Shuttle buses will be provided at Kwai Fong MTR Station for events at the Hong Kong Jockey Club International BMX Park.

Eleven hotels and an outdoor recreation centre will serve as the accommodation facilities for athletes, guests and judges.

Security

Crowd management will be handled by the game's security guards and the Civil Aid Service while Police will deploy 3,000 officers to assist. Spectators will go through security checks before they enter venues.

A media centre will be set up at the Central Library and will come into operation on November 23.

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