Club-funded EAG Volunteers pledge support for a successful Games

21 November 2009

The 2009 East Asian Games will take place in a fortnight's time.  Some 6,000 volunteers are now ready to serve the Games after undertaking a series of training programmes funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club.  Today (21 November), over a thousand volunteers gathered at Wan Chai Sports Ground to pledge their wholehearted support for the Games and live up to its slogan "Be the Legend".  There to witness the occasion were Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang, Club Chairman Dr John C C Chan, Chairman of the 5th East Asian Games Planning Committee Timothy Fok, Director of Leisure & Cultural Services Betty Fung and Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Service Lee Jark Pui.

Speaking at the Service Pledge Ceremony, Dr Chan observed that the Club had long been committed to local sports development.  Following the successful completion of the Beijing 2008 Olympic equestrian events, the Club had continued its support by contributing to the 2009 East Asian Games, the first large-scale multi-sport international event staged in the city.  "We decided that one element of the Club's support should be the Volunteer Programme, because the team spirit generated by a large and dedicated group of volunteers is one of the keys to success of a large-scale sporting event such as this," he explained.  "The efforts of the volunteers are also important to the participating athletes, and can spur them to outstanding performances."

As the Principal Contributor of the Games, the Club has donated HK$40 million towards the cost of staging the event.  Besides covering the recruitment, training and support of The Hong Kong Jockey Club 2009 East Asian Games Volunteer Programme, the Club's donation has funded two other components: construction of The Hong Kong Jockey Club International BMX Park, a venue for the cycling competition which officially opened last month; and the provision of 120,000 education tickets for local students to enjoy the Games.

The 2009 East Asian Games will be held in Hong Kong from 5 to 13 December 2009.  Around 2,300 elite athletes from nine participating countries and regions - China, Chinese Taipei, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macau, Mongolia and Guam - will compete for medals in 262 events across 22 sports.

125th Anniversary of The Hong KongJockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2009/10 season.  Over the past 125 years, it has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.

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