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HONG KONG: Hong Kong is gearing up to host its first multi-sport event as the 5th East Asian Games officially kicks off on Saturday night. Nine countries and regions will go head to head, and competitors will include gold medallists from last year's Beijing Olympics.
Hong Kong's city officials have been keen to unite the public, calling on people to don the lucky colour red for the official opening ceremony.
Hong Kong Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-Sing said: "I appeal to the public to actively support and participate in the games, to get into the spirit of holding the games with a city-wide participation."
262 gold medals are up for grabs across 23 sports as 2,300 athletes from nine countries and regions lock horns. They include 20 Beijing Olympics gold medallists, led by China's cream of the crop.
Diving queen Guo Jingjing and her synchronise partner Wu Minxia are set to wow crowds, while hurdler Liu Xiang is making a comeback to the track after bowing out of last year's Olympics due to an injury.
Spectators will get a bird's eye view of him in the US$52 million Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground, a major track and field arena built specially for the games.
The government has pumped more than US$167 million into the two-week extravaganza. Officials have already hinted that if this event is a success, they could make a bid for a much bigger fish – the 2019 Asian Games.
Nonetheless, despite all the fanfare, it seems many Hong Kongers are not too impressed.
"It is a really big honour for us to host it... But so what?" one said.
"I don't know much about it, to be honest! So I don't think my peers will know much about it as well," another added.
Still, the government is hoping for an enthusiastic turnout for the opening ceremony along Tsim Sha Tsui's waterfront.
It will include performances on a floating stage set up at Victoria Harbour, and a mega lighting and fireworks display.
- CNA/so
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