HK heroes: Chief Executive Donald Tsang hails Hong Kong's East Asian Games athletes.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang has assured the Government will continue supporting Hong Kong athletes, thanking them for making the city proud in the 2009 East Asian Games with their top performances.

He applauded the athletes today at a celebration ceremony and presented certificates of appreciation to those who won gold medals at last week's games. Hong Kong athletes achieved their best-ever result for the games by winning 26 gold, 31 silver and 53 bronze medals.

He said the Government will back the athletes with direct subsidies and financial support for training, as well as with academic and work arrangements.

A study on the development of local soccer will finish early next year, and the findings will help derive a long-term policy for the sport's development.