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Sheffield Business School
BSc (Honours) Events and Leisure Management
Title:
The Social Impacts of the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games
Name :
LEUNG Wai Yin, Angela
Student No:
91206623 (SHU)
107018360 (SHAPE)
Month Year April 2011
2
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Business School
Title
The Social Impacts of the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games
FULL NAME
LEUNG Wai Yin, Angela
STUDENT No
91206623 (SHU) & 107018360 (SHAPE)
Supervisor: Mr. Calvin NG
In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in
Events and Leisure Management.
Month Year April 2011
3
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................ 5
CHAPTER 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................. 6
CHAPTER 2. CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES ....................................................... 8
2.1 Overview of mega sport events in Hong Kong ........................................................ 8
2.2 Introduction of the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games ......................................... 9
2.3 Background of the Leisure Cultural and Services Department ............................... 9
2.4 Background of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong,
China ...................................................................................................................... 10
2.5 Aims and Objectives .............................................................................................. 11
CHAPTER 3. LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................. 12
3.1 Definition of mega sports event ............................................................................. 12
3.2 Definition of social impact..................................................................................... 12
3.3 Social impacts .................................................................................................. 13
3.3.1 Cultural impacts ........................................................................................... 13
3.3.2 Environmental impacts ................................................................................ 14
3.3.3 Economic impacts ........................................................................................ 15
3.3.4 Social and urban regeneration ...................................................................... 16
3.3.5 Sports development ...................................................................................... 17
3.3.6 Social implications ....................................................................................... 17
CHAPTER 4.METHOD OF INVESTIGATION .................................................... 19
CHAPTER 5. FINDING AND ANALYSIS .............................................................. 20
5.1 Social-cultural and tourism impacts of the Hong Kong 2009 EAG ...................... 20
5.2 Environmental impacts of the Hong Kong 2009 EAG .......................................... 22
4
5.3 Economic impacts of the Hong Kong 2009 EAG .................................................. 23
5.4 Urban regeneration and redevelopment of sport facilities and centres of the Hong
Kong 2009 EAG .................................................................................................... 24
5.5 Sports development of Hong Kong ........................................................................ 25
5.6 Social implications of the Hong Kong 2009 EAG ................................................. 28
CHAPTER 6. CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................ 31
6.1 Conclusions ............................................................................................................ 31
6.2 Recommendations .................................................................................................. 33
6.2.1 Ticket arrangements ..................................................................................... 33
6.2.2 Foreign athletes arrangements ..................................................................... 34
6.6.3 Sport competitions venues arrangements ..................................................... 35
6.6.4 Volunteers arrangement ............................................................................... 36
BIBLIOGRPAHY .................................................................................................................. 38
5
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Firstly, I would like to thank my supervisor, Mr.Calvin NG, who has given me advices
and guidance throughout the dissertation. It is impossible to finish the dissertation
without his guidance.
Secondly, I would also like to thank my parents,sister and friends who have given me
support and encouragement during the research of the dissertation.
During the dissertation, I attained the knowledge of the various aspects aroused from
the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games, for instance: sport development, the
preparation and the operation for this sport event and different social impacts of this
sport event.
6
CHAPTER 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This dissertation consists of five chapters, the beginning part of the dissertation will
have the brief introductory background about the mega sports events in Hong Kong
and the background of the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games (EAG). Then followed
by the literature review, quoting and referencing the theories, concepts and views
towards the social impacts of the international mega sport events from different
authors. The core part is going to use various newspapers, online news report videos,
documentaries as sources to discuss and evaluate the social impacts of the Hong Kong
2009 EAG. Lastly, recommendations and suggestions will be made towards the
problems and issues that appeared in the Hong Kong 2009 EAG.
The reason for choosing the social impacts of the Hong Kong 2009 EAG as the
research topic because this was the first time for Hong Kong to organize such an
international integrated sport event, as in the past, only particular sport events were
held in Hong Kong. Regarding the social impacts, as the Hong Kong 2009 EAG was a
large sport event compared to those in the past, hence, the numbers of social impacts
should be more.
Moreover, secondary data will be used as the form of research in this dissertation, as
the news, documentaries, online news report videos could provide more information
to the findings, so that it will have more understanding toward the Hong Kong 2009
EAG and it will be easier for evaluating the extend the social impacts will affect Hong
Kong in the short and long term during and after the Hong Kong 2009 EAG.
After the discussion and evaluation of the sources, the findings showed that the Hong
7
Kong 2009 EAG achieved quite a number of social impacts; it included the cultural,
environmental, economic impacts, sport development, urban regeneration and social
implications. During the EAG, the Hong Kong government and the 2009 East Asian
Games (Hong Kong) Ltd. (2009 EAGHK Ltd.) showed their efforts and contributions
in achieving the above mentioned impacts. It included building new environmental
sports stadium and sport venues ; holding various kinds of carnivals and cultural
programs during the EAG promotion; to reconstruct and upgrade the leisure facilities
and sport stadiums in various districts of Hong Kong; to arouse people’s concern
about the football development of Hong Kong and to encourage various districts in
Hong Kong to hold the leisure programs and EAG sports competitions to encourage
the public to support the Hong Kong 2009 EAG.
Although numbers of social impacts were achieved, there were some operational
problems and arrangements that appeared in the Hong Kong 2009 EAG. Those
problems included the ticket selling arrangements, media and volunteer arrangements,
design of the sport venues, etc. All these problems showed the Hong Kong
government and the 2009 EAGHK Ltd. did not prepare well and were not flexible
enough when handling the complains and problems, suggestions and
recommendations were also made towards the problems.
8
CHAPTER 2. CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES
2.1 Overview of mega sport events in Hong Kong
Mega sport event is one of the important and essential events in raising the
international profile of Hong Kong, to foster the economy, to promote the sports and
to enhance the social cohesion. In the past, numbers of international mega sport
events were held in Hong Kong, for example: the 2008 Beijing-Hong Kong
Equestrian Games, the Hong Kong Dance Sports Festival, the Standard Chartered
Marathon, the Tour of Hong Kong Shanghai, the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong
Kong Sevens, the UBS Hong Kong Open Championship, etc.
To further support and offer assistance in organizing the mega sport events. In 2004,
the Hong Kong government set up the Major Sport Committee, to organize
international mega sport events, in order to encourage public sport participation, to
encourage the commercial sector in providing sponsorship to the sport events, to
nurture the sustainability of holding international sport events and the sport
development.
The success of these sport events has proved the ability and capability of Hong Kong
in holding international mega sports events. These events also play a significant and
important role in bringing tangible and intangible benefits to Hong Kong throughout
years; enhancing Hong Kong’s international status, to attract tourists from different
parts of the world, to foster the economy and sports development, to strengthen the
social bond, etc. Furthermore, the success of the Hong Kong 2009 EAG has showed
the above- mentioned impacts and benefits as well.
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2.2 Introduction of the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games (EAG)
The Hong Kong 2009 EAG is one the most famous international mega sport events
around Asia. It is held for every four years, China; Korea; Japan; Macau had held the
EAG in 1993, 1997, 2001 and 2005 respectively. The Hong Kong 5th East Asian
Games 2009 (EAG) was held from 5th-13th December, 2009. There were around 2,300
elite athletes participated in the event and 262 competition events were held during
the event. The event was successfully held and it attained numerous amount of
positive feedback, raised the international profile of Hong Kong, and also brought
positive social impacts to Hong Kong. The East Asian Games (Hong Kong) Limited,
The Leisure Cultural and Services Department, The Sports Federation and Olympic
Committee of Hong Kong, China and East Asian Games Association were responsible
for implementing and delivering the 2009 EAG.
2.3 Background of the Leisure Cultural and Services Department (LCSD)
The Leisure Cultural and Services Department (LCSD) was established in 2000,
co-coordinated by The Hong Kong Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) and The Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The vision of LCSD is to enhance and
enrich the lifestyle of the general public by providing high quality of leisure and
cultural services. They are responsible for providing, planning and developing wide
range of high quality of sport, recreation and cultural activities, programmes and
facilities to general public. Their services include, organizing different sports and
leisure courses, providing various types of performing and cultural arts event and
managing sport centers, museums, libraries and complexes,etc. During the event,
LCSD was responsible for providing sports venues for the competition, such as,
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Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground; Kowloon Park Swimming Pool; Hong Kong
Stadium,etc. Also, LCSD was responsible for promoting EAG, for instance: In support
of HK 2009 EAG - The 32nd Yuen Long District Dance Competition cum
Performance; In support of HK 2009 EAG - Islands District Age Group Tennis
Competition,etc. These events were organized by LCSD during the event.
2.4 Background of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong,
China
Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, (SF&OCHK)
previously named as The Amateur Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of
Hong Kong was established in 1949-50. It is the member of the Olympic Council of
Asia and the Association of National Olympic Committees. SF&OCHK is responsible
for Hong Kong’s participation in different kinds of mega sports events, such as
Olympic, Asian, East Asian, Pacific and National Games. They are authorized to
co-coordinating and organizing sports and recreation training to the sport beginners
and elites; to organize and provide local and overseas competitions and the training of
coaches. For the SF&OCHK, during the event, it was responsible for promoting EAG,
such as, Opening Ceremony of “Promotion of Hong Kong Athletes’ Readiness in
participating in the 5th East Asian Games - Sports Demonstration and Participation”
and closely co-operated with LCSD and the 2009 EAGHK Ltd. in order to ensure the
smoothness of the event and delivering the event successfully.
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2.5 Aims and Objectives
The purpose of this study is to examine and evaluate various social impacts brought
by the Hong Kong 2009 EAG. Before preparing and during the game, it may be
aroused numbers of social impacts. The impacts include: socio-cultural impact;
technological impact, urban regeneration, social participation, sport development,
environmental impact, economic impact, physical impacts, etc. All these impacts will
affect the community in a short or long term. Lastly, recommendations will be also
made to suggest methods and ways in explaining how the event can improve and
perform better. Furthermore, in this study, different types of sources will be used, for
example: newspaper, websites, videos and magazines, to examine and evaluate the
social impacts of the Hong Kong 2009 EAG.
12
CHAPTER 3. LITERATURE REVIEW
3.1 Definition of mega sports event
Van Der Wagen and Carlos (2005,p10) stated that “sporting events are held in all
towns,cities,countries and states throughout the nation. They attract international
sports men and women at the highest levels. These major events are matched at the
local level by sporting competitions for players at all levels.”
Malfas et al. (2004,p211) stated that “mega sporting events include specialist
world-level international sports compeitions and also the “world regional-level”
versions of these events. Such mega sporting events provide great opportunities for
regions and cities to develop internationally competitive investment environments.
Through the processes of place-competition and the restructuring they promote,
regions and cities can benefit in the long term.”
3.2 Definition of social impact
Olsen and Merwin (1977,p.41) stated that “social impacts as changes in the structure
and functioning of patterned social ordering that occurs in conjunction with an
environmental, technological or social innovation or alteration.”
Mathieson and Wall (1982.p.137) stated that “social impact as the changes of quality
of life of residents of tourist destinations”
13
Hall (1992, p.67) stated that “social impact as the manner in which tourism and
travel effect changes in the collective and individual value systems, behavior
patterns,community structures,lifestyle and quality of life.”
Teo (1994), Sharpley (1999),Brunt and Courtney (1999) suggested that social impacts
can be expressed as short term consequences of instant and obvious changes in the
quality living of the host city. For the long term impacts, it will be included the
cultural impacts, city’s social relationship, living standard,etc.
3.3 Social impacts
3.3.1 Cultural impacts
Garcia (2003) mentioned that through the sporting events, people will understand
more about the local cultural elements and values, thus this will offer valuable
chances for the event promotions. Also including the representative and special
cultural programs in the mega sport event, this would therefore impressed the visitors
and customers more and thus this could be enhanced the successfulness of the whole
sporting event.
Masterman (2009,p.101) stated that “ smaller scale events can also offer
opportunities for different cultural groups to come together in sporting competition.
Programs consisting of such events are also arguably required in order that the initial
short term cultural impact and impetus created by major event is sustained over the
long-term”
14
MacAloon (2003) maintained that there were tangible and intangible benefits of
Olympic Games legacy. For the tangible benefits, it included: sport facitilies,
transportation facilities, tourists attractions and facilities. For the intangible benefits, it
included: the community and national profile, the ceremonies, creating the sport
history for the host city and the political impacts. All these can be accumulated as the
cultural capital of the host city or country, and later these regional legacies can be
altered to global legacies.
Malfas et al. (2004,p.214) stated that “mega-sporting event will provide
socio-cultural benefits for the host region. For example, sporting events size of the
Olympics can increase the local interest and participation in sporting activities, they
can strengthen regional traditions and value, and increase local pride and community
spirit.”
3.3.2 Environmental impacts
Masterman (2009) suggested that during the Athens and Beijing Olympic Games,
both these two countries had implemented various environmental protection measures
in order to improve the environment and enhance the environmental awareness of the
public.
For instance, Athens Olympic Games 2004, they launched an environmental program
which included new planting, these new plantings and meliorated waste management.
For the Beijing Olympic Games 2008, to meet the national air quality standard, during
the Olympic period, numbers of factories and constructions were closed.
15
Also, Masterman mentioned about the negative environmental impacts that would be
created during the mega sport event, Masterman (2009,p.104) stated that” negative
environmental impacts, certainly in the short-term,include the non-disposal of waste
and the destruction of the habitat.”
Jinxia and Mangan (2008) identified that during the Beijing Olympic Games 2008,
“Green Olympics” was launched to enhance the awareness and consciousness of
environmental protection. Series of measures were implemented, including, further
improvements of the industrial pollution source management, recycling, restraining
the industrial pollution,etc. As a consequence, the air quality was improved and the
emission of pollutants was reduced as well.
Jinxia and Mangan (2008, p.2032) stated that “ modern digital, network-broadband,
environmental, energy, and water-saving technologies are being applied to the
construction of venues and the installation of telecommunications and transportation
facilities. “
3.3.3 Economic impacts
Allen et al. mentioned some positive and negative impacts on tourism and economic
of the special events. Allen et al. (2002,p.26) stated that “ Special events can help
destinational promotion and increased tourist visits. To extend the length of stay, to
increase tax revenue, higher yield and job creation. For the negative impacts, such as,
inflated prices, community resistance to tourism, loss of authenticity, exploitation,
damage to reputation. “
16
Yu (2004) suggested that there are several economic impacts of hosting selected
international games. For instance, pressure from the inflation because of the games,
provide more job opportunities, increased in tourism and more inward investment,etc.
3.3.4 Social and urban regeneration
Malfas et al. (2004) claimed that mega sporting events could help the host city or
country to transform its image. Malfas et al. took an example of how 1991 World
Student Games assisted the city of Sheffield to transform from an industrial city to a
sport leisure region. Because of this successful bid of 1991 World Student Games, the
government decided to construct and build sport, leisure and cultural facilities.
Originally it was a manufacture city, and in 1995 it was recognized as the UK’s first
“National City of Sport”.
Masterman (2009) mentioned that redevelopment of land, constructing new sport
stadium will offer job opportunities to the sport event. Holding the event can also
create numbers of short term jobs. For the facilities, even after the event, they will be
still used to provide leisure and sport service for the public. Hence, this could further
offer job opportunities for the host city.
Jinxia and Mangan (2008) identified that during the Beijing Olympic Games 2008,
numbers of infrastructure were being modernized, improved. For example: to provide
a high standard of transportation network, a 3S-based traffic network system will be
made. 31 competition venues would be built, modernized the Beijing airport, light
railways, express ways,etc.
17
3.3.5 Sports development
Masterman (2009) noted that holding Olympic Games could help the sport
development of the host city or country. He mentioned in the Paralympics in Athens
in 2004, they built four new sport stadiums for goalball, powerlifting, boccia and
wheelchair rugby. This measure could help the sport development and profile for the
above mentioned sports. Furthermore, holding such large scale sports events can offer
a chance for the new sport elite athletes to participate the games.
The government and the sport association therefore play a significant role in
providing funding and resources for the sport development within a city or country.
As the profile of a particular sports is increased, people will be more interested and
concern about it, hence, sport participation will be increased, more people engaging
sports, this will also lead to lower the cost of medical of a city or country.
3.3.6 Social implications
Shone and Parry (2004, p.51) stated that “ events serve to strengthen social bonds as
well as to spread enjoyment around, for strengthening weak community structures in a
particular location, helped to drive forward many community social and political
initiatives, to maintain a cohesive intersocial structure, to create better social
interaction, to increase cultural and social understanding and to increase
community’s identity and confidence in itself.”
Allen et al. (2002,p.27) stated that “ some events leave a legacy of greater awareness
and participation in particular sporting and cultural activities. Others broaden
18
people’s cultural horizons, exposing them to new and challenging people, customs, or
ideas. Research suggests that local communities often value the “feel-good” aspects
of hallmark events, and the long-term expectation of improved facilities and profile”
Hence, events do play an important and significant role in enhancing the social
cohesion of a community, with a strong social cohesion and a sense of community
belonging, crimes and conflicts within the community will be reduced and the public
will be more willing to help and co-operate with each other. Events also provide a
great chance for the public to get to know about other countries’ culture, to enhance
their horizons, to exchange various cultural knowledge with other parts of the world
will also be a meaningful and valuable experience to the participants.
19
CHAPTER 4. METHOD OF INVESTIGATION
In this study, secondary data will be used for the research, these secondary data
includes, newspapers, online video news report, EAG official website, documentary
videos. Management Study Guide (2011) stated that “Secondary data is the data that
have been already collected by and readily available from other sources. Such data
are cheaper and more quickly obtainable than the primary data and also may be
available when primary data can not be obtained at all.”
Management Study Guide (2011) mentioned that the advantages of using the
secondary data are: it is less expensive when compared to the use of the primary data,
the costs and time can be saved as there is no need to print out or distribute the
questionnaires to the friends and classmates and wait them to return the questionnaires.
Also The secondary data can help to understand and reflect more about the actual
facts and the situations. Yet the disadvantages are the data may be outdated and
accuracy and the reliability of the data is not known.
The limitations of the research are: the past EAG events sources and news could not
be found, the official websites of the past EAG events did not exist or close down
already, therefore it was difficult to compare the past EAG information and news to
the Hong Kong 2009 EAG. As the study is confined with 6000 words, hence, the
study could not be evaluated and explained in so much detail or in-depth. Also, most
of the news and sources were in Chinese, only one or two of them were written in
English, as a result, it took some time to translate all the data in English.
20
CHAPTER 5. FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS
5.1 Social-cultural and tourism impacts of the Hong Kong 2009 EAG
To match up the Hong Kong 2009 EAG, to promote various culture of other parts of
countries, to broaden the horizon of the public, the LCSD had organized the EAG
Cultural Extravaganza, on December 12, 2009 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre
(HKCC). This carnival included different kinds of cultural performances from various
parts of countries, for instance: the Shaanxi Folk Arts Troupe from the Mainland, U
Theatre from Taiwan, Za Ondekoza from Japan, Grupo de Dan?as e Cantares de
Macau from Macao, and Inetnon Gef Pa'go from Guam.
Furthermore, local performing group would also perform in this carnival, it included:
Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra together with winners of the Hong Kong Synergy 24
Drum Competition, Hong Kong Young Talent Cantonese Opera Troupe, Jumbo Kids
Theatre,etc. Moreover, games booths and traditional handicrafts demonstration would
also be showcased in this event.
From the online video news report, Youku (2009), as the HKCC is a famous tourist
landmark, therefore, this event attracted a large number of public and tourists and
every cultural performances had their unique features, no matter their music, clothing
and dancing styles, audiences and the tourists enjoyed the performances and they
were also very interested in the traditional handicraft demonstrations and the food
culture of East Asia as well.
Garcia (2003) mentioned that through the sporting events, people will understand
21
more about the local cultural elements and values, thus this will offer valuable
chances for the event promotions. Also including the representative and special
cultural programs in the mega sport event, this would therefore impressed the visitors
and customers more and thus this could be enhanced the successfulness of the whole
sporting event.
Masterman (2009,p.101) stated that “ smaller scale events can also offer
opportunities for different cultural groups to come together in sporting competition.
Programs consisting of such events are also arguably required in order that the initial
short term cultural impact and impetus created by major event is sustained over the
long-term”
Organizing EAG Cultural Extravaganza has a significant promotional effect to the
Hong Kong 2009 EAG, as this time there were many cultural elements from different
countries appeared in this event, therefore, the programs of the whole event were
diversified and attractive. This could attract large number of public and tourists
attending the event.
Allen et al. (2002,p.27) stated that “ some events leave a legacy of greater awareness
and participation in particular sporting and cultural activities. Others broaden
people’s cultural horizons, exposing them to new and challenging people, customs, or
ideas. Research suggests that local communities often value the “feel-good” aspects
of hallmark events.”
For the performing group, they could take this opportunity to promote their own
country’s culture to the Hong Kong public and the tourists so as to arouse their
22
interests in their countries’ unique cultural features. For the public and the tourists, it
was also an ideal chance for them to get to know and learn about various countries’
cultural features, this could broaden their horizon, to understand and know more about
the East Asia culture and to nurture their interests in learning about arts and culture of
the Hong Kong 2009 EAG tournament participating countries.
This would also have sustainable long term impact to the Hong Kong, as such kind of
event can attract and give a good impression to the tourists and the public, therefore, it
will have greater chance for the government to hold similar kind of event again, in the
long term, this can enhance the social cohesion as the public get involved in joining
this event and they also enjoy and experience the joyful and harmonious atmosphere
of the event.
5.2 Environmental impacts of the Hong Kong 2009 EAG
MetroHK(2009) claimed that to match up with the theme- "Green, Cultural and
Energetic EAG” , the design of Tseung Kwan O sports ground consisted of various
environmental elements. For instance: the covered spectator stand has the solar energy
board, this board can collect the heat and transform the heat into energy for the
electricity supply for the hot water system. There is a rainwater collection device in
the lawn and covered spectator stand, to save the water, the collected water can be
used to plant the lawn. The covered spectator stand has large windows, so that the
natural light can be brought inside the spectator.
HKheadline (2009) mentioned that the Hong Kong Jockey Club International BMX
park originally it was a reclamation land, yet now it is used for the individual road
23
race, this BMX park will provide 50 hectares for the leisure uses and some of the
slopes areas, as they are not suitable for the land redevelopment, therefore, plantings
will be planted there for the greening purpose.
Jinxia and Mangan (2008) identified that during the Beijing Olympic Games 2008,
“Green Olympics” was launched to enhance the awareness and consciousness of
environmental protection. Series of measures were implemented, including, further
improvements of the industrial pollution source management, recycling, restraining
the industrial pollution,etc. As a consequence, the air quality was improved and the
emission of pollutants was reduced as well.
Both of the new environmental leisure and sport facilities constructions can enhance
the public awareness of the environmental protection and the sport ground and BMX
park can also be served as models to educate and promote the environmental
knowledge to the public. With the advanced technology nowadays, actually it is
possible to build more environmental sport facilities such as Tseung Kwan O Sports
Ground and the Hong Kong Jockey Club International BMX park. Hence, it the
government or the private sector should continue offer resources and funding to
support this kind of development, in order to create a better environmental
environment to the public.
5.3 Economic impacts of the Hong Kong 2009 EAG
Hong Kong Commercial Newspaper (2009) claimed that during the event period of
the Hong Kong 2009 EAG, there were over 1,117,648 tourists coming to Hong Kong,
had increased 5.7% when compared to the same period of time every year. This
24
showed that there were quite number of tourists coming to Hong Kong during that
period of time.
Allen et al. (2002,p.26) stated that “ Special events can help destinational promotion
and increased tourist visits. To extend the length of stay, to increase tax revenue,
higher yield and job creation.”
Yu (2004) suggested that there are several economic impacts of hosting selected
international games. For instance, pressure from the inflation because of the games,
provide more job opportunities, increased in tourism and more inward investment,etc.
During this period of time, the amount of tourists can stimulate the Hong Kong’s
economic, they will stay in Hong Kong for shopping, sightseeing,dining,etc. This
helped fostering Hong Kong tourism and economic, retailing; food and dining
industries would benefit from the Hong Kong 2009 EAG. This also can raise the
international profile of Hong Kong as this was a good chance for Hong Kong to
promote itself.
5.4 Urban regeneration and redevelopment of sport facilities and centres of the
Hong Kong 2009 EAG
According to the RTHK (2009) documentary-“The Grace of Sport- the prelude of the
Hong Kong 2009 EAG” , it mentioned about the preparation of the Hong Kong 2009
EAG, in order to meet the international standard of the sport competition, there were
quite a number of sport stadiums that were renovated and reconstructed, for instance:
new construction of the Tseung Kwan O Sport Centre, the Hong Kong Coliseums, the
25
Western District Sport Centre, the Shek Kip Mei Park Sport Centre, the Hong Kong
Squash Centre,etc.
Masterman (2009) mentioned that redevelopment of land, constructing new sport
stadium will offer job opportunities to the sport event. Holding the event can also
create numbers of short term jobs. For the facilities, even after the event, they will be
still used to provide leisure and sport service for the public. Hence, this could further
offer job opportunities for the host city.
By constructing new and renovating various sport centres and facilities of Hong Kong,
this could provide quite a number of temporary job opportunities to the public. In long
term, it needs more people who have the knowledge leisure management to manage
those new sport centres. As a result, this can foster the leisure and sport industry, to
encourage and ingest more people to work for this industry. Furhermore, the public
can have more choices, space and venues in engaging different leisure and sports
activities. Therefore, this can encourage the public in more sport participation, foster
the leisure and sport industry, to further strengthen the social bonds of the community.
5.5 Sports development of Hong Kong
During and after the Hong Kong 2009 EAG, the public were more concerned about
the sport development of Hong Kong, no matter the long term football development,
teenage elite athletes sport development, elite athletes development and new sporting
facilities for the athletes’ training.
Mingpao (2009) and Wenweipo (2009) noted that the Secretary for the LCSD, Mr.
26
Tsang Tak-sing said that the government would put more resources on the football
development and also would also implemented in constructing Tseung Kwan O
Football Training Centre. Tsang also said that every year the LCSD offer 7 million to
the Football Association for subsidizing the nurturing and training of the teenager
football elite athletes and the Hong Kong Football Team.
He added in the past the government has been continuously increased resources to the
sports development, including this year’s 10 million funding in assisting the Sport
Associations in Hong Kong and to reinforce various teenagers’ sports training
development in order to excavate and nurture the Hong Kong sport athletes. In
supporting the elite sport athletes, the government has increased the regular sport
funding to 50 million every year.
HKheadline (2009) claimed that the Secretary for the LCSD, Mr. Tsang Tak-sing said
that Hong Kong has constructively ingested different sporting athletes talents form
various countries, especially Mainland China. With these sporting a athletes talents
form various countries, this can stimulate, push forward and motivate the Hong Kong
athletes as well.
Having sufficient amount of funding and subsidization for the elite athletes and the
various sport associations are important, as sport development is a long term planning
and development, during the planning and development, there includes lots of crucial
elements and aspects in order to reaching the planned sport strategies and aims.
Those crucial elements including: selecting, nurturing and training the sports talents
from the community; strategic sport planning and development; sports promotion;
27
organizing sports tournaments; launching sport courses and programs; ingesting sport
talents from other countries; constructing and renewing the sport stadiums and
facilities, etc. therefore, in order to provide an ideal training environment, stadiums,
facilities, sport trainers.
Hence, the above mentioned elements must be complemented with enough amount of
funding and support, so that the sport athletes can achieve good result in the sports
competitions. The Hong Kong athletes had attained remarkable results in Hong Kong
2009 EAG, altogether they attained 110 medals, ranked 4th in overall medals ranking.
Such remarkable result had shown that it is worthy for the Hong Kong government
continuously support for the Hong Kong sport development as well as the athletes.
South China Morning Post (2009) said that the Hong Kong government is planning to
construct a cycling arena next to the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground, this cycling
arena will not be just for athletes’ training and sport competition, it will also be
opened for the public for leisure purpose.
Masterman (2009) noted that holding Olympic Games could help the sport
development of the host city or country. He mentioned in the Paralympics in Athens
in 2004, they built four new sport stadiums for goalball, powerlifting, boccia and
wheelchair rugby. This measure could help the sport development and profile for the
above mentioned sports.
Both constructions planning of the football training centre and the cycling arena are
important for the Hong Kong sport development, as after its completion, tournaments,
programs and promotion will be launched in order to increase their profile, to allow
28
more public to know about football and cycling, to arouse their public interests in
these sports, to increase the public sport participation, no matter joining the
tournaments and the programs. If the public sport participation can be successfully
increased, the public are getting healthier, this will also lower the medical costs of
Hong Kong in the long term.
Furthermore, the sport skills of the athletes can be improved and enhanced as they are
going to be trained in an international standard sport training centre. Through these,
the development of the football and cycling can be effectively fostered and cultivated,
allowing a positive sustainable development of these sports and also for the growth of
social cohesion of Hong Kong.
5.6 Social implications of the Hong Kong 2009 EAG
In order to further promote Hong Kong 2009 EAG to the public, to encourage the
public to participate this event, to enhance the social cohesion, to broaden the public’s
horizon and to support the athletes, The Hong Kong government had launched a series
promotion including: promotion programmes for schools; cultural performance,
carnivals, exhibitions,etc.
From the official website of the Hong Kong 2009 EAG, there showed a lists of
promotion programmes for schools, including, School Torch Relay; EAG
Cheerleading Programme, Inter- school Cheerleading Compeition, Visiting Hong
Kong Sports Teams, EAG Teaching Material, etc.
According to the news report of ATV (2009) , they interviewed one for the school
29
cheering teams and talked about the usage of having school cheering team during the
event and the aim of the EAG Cheerleading Program. The school cheering team had a
means of encouragement and support for various athletes and could also provide
relaxing and entertaining performances for the audiences in order to enhance and
bring up the atmosphere of the tournaments.
This EAG Cheerleading Program was very meaningful for students, as after this
program, they needed to participate the Inter- school Cheerleading Competition.
There were lots of things that the students could learn from this program. For instance,
co-operative skills, as the gesture of the cheerleading is simple but there are different
kinds of cheerleading pattern for their performance, and most importantly the patterns
are needed to be very neat so that the patterns can be presented and performed in the
sense of elegance. Therefore, it required high level of co-operative skills, students
needed to work with each other well and communicate with each other well in order
to deliver a high quality standard of performance.
Furthermore, it was a good and ideal opportunities for the students to train and nurture
their patience,team spirit, sport spirit and endurance as well as enhance their interest
in sports. As during the training period lasted for 3 months and the whole performance
was only lasted for 3 minutes, students need to put quite a number of effort and time,
during the training, they had to always repeat same kinds of gestures and patterns, this
could also provide chances to bring up their patience and endurance.
Malfas et al. (2004) stated that” increased sport participation provides a sense of well
being through fun and enjoyment, leading to self fulfillment and achievement, and
encourages social interaction and cohesion for those who may fell socially excluded.
30
The hosting of mega-sporting events, therefore, can provide localities with an
opportunity to generate world recognition and reinforce their local pride and
community spirit.”
The students who joined this Cheerleading Training Program and the Inter- School
Cheerleading Competition could experience the excitement and fun. Both of the
programs could increase the students sports participation and would also be a
challenging task to them.
Both of the programs offered a valuable and memorable chance for them to encounter
difficult task so as to increase, to train up and to bring up their patience, confidence,
endurance, sense of belonging to the school and the community, team spirit,etc. The
students would also understand more the efforts ,hardship and contributions of the
elite athletes, so that they will offer more support and encouragement to the elite
athletes.
31
CHAPTER 6. CONCLUSIONS
6.1 Conclusions
Throughout the years, Hong Kong has been holding numerous numbers of sporting
events, and also the Hong Kong government sets up the “M” mark system and the
Major Sports Event Committee to offer funding and support for organizing
international sporting tournaments. For instance: the Cathy Pacific and Credit Suisse
Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, the Hong
Kong Dance Sport Festival, the Tour of Hong Kong Shanghai and the Cathy Pacific
Squash Open, etc. Hong Kong has gained reputations and raised its international
profile through organizing these events.
Yet as this was the first time for Hong Kong to hold such kind of integrated
international sports event- the Hong Kong 2009 EAG, although throughout years
Hong Kong has many experiences in holding particular sport events, still as this was
the first time, therefore, there were several numbers of problems that appeared in the
Hong Kong 2009 EAG. Those problems were mainly the operational problems, ticket
selling problems; media and volunteer arrangements,etc. Although these problems
could be avoided and some of the people were not satisfied with the problems, it is
believed that the Hong Kong government and the 2009 EAGHK Ltd. had learn
lessons from these problems, from these problems they learnt their strengths and
weaknesses in organizing the integrated international sport events, so that next time
they can perform better and deliver a high standard of international sport event.
However, although some operational problems appeared in the EAG, after this study,
32
the findings and sources showed that the Hong Kong 2009 EAG nearly achieved all of
the social impacts that were mentioned in the literature review. For the sport
development, again the Hong Kong government and the public concern about the
football development of Hong Kong once the Hong Kong Football won the champion
in the EAG competition. The Hong Kong government said that they will offer funding
and support for long term Hong Kong football development. This showed that
international sport event has significant effect on arousing the government and public
concern of particular sport development.
The Hong Kong 2009 EAG offered a chance for the community to holding different
kinds of carnivals, competitions and leisure activities, altogether there were over 25
EAG related programs that were held before and during the Hong Kong 2009 EAG.
These events and activities were important in creating the EAG atmosphere within the
community and the city. These activities were significant to enhance and strengthen
the social bond and cohesion of the community, also this could raise the sense of
belonging of the public to their community.
On the other hand, the Hong Kong 2009 EAG created a valuable chance for urban
regeneration. Many sport stadiums were upgraded and reconstructed up to the
international sport competition standard. To reconstruct and build existing and new
sport stadiums can create numbers of temporary jobs and can offer leisure spaces for
the public for the later use.
33
6.2 Recommendations
During the Hong Kong 2009 EAG, there were numbers of problems aroused from this
event. For instance: selling tickets; guests and athletes arrangements; venue
arrangements; promotions; volunteers’ arrangements; media arrangements,etc.
6.2.1 Ticket arrangements
Orientaldaily (2009) mentioned that the attendance rate of various tournaments was
very low, but some of the tournament venues did not have the on-site ticket selling,
audiences were required to walk to the nearby ticket selling point for 10 minutes,
therefore most of the audiences gave up in purchasing the tickets. Some tourists were
not satisfied that they could not purchase the on-site tickets, they felt angry about the
arrangements of the event. And even, an one- year- old child was needed to purchase
the child ticket.
This news showed that there was no proper ticket selling and distributing preparation
and arrangements before and during the event. As most of the semi-finals
competitions were held during the morning sessions, therefore, not many people could
go there and watch the tournaments in the morning as most of them have their own
work. Therefore, only students or elderly would have much more time to watch these
tournaments.
To increase the attendance rate, the government and the 2009 EAGHK Ltd. could
distribute more tickets to the students and elderly before these tournaments started, or
even could provide transportation arrangements for them, so that it would be more
34
easier for them to assess to the tournament venue. If more people could go there fand
watch the tournaments, the atmosphere there would be much better. Furthermore, the
ticket selling system should be more flexible such as if there were tickets available for
selling, the organizer should allow public or tourists to purchase the tickets during the
day of the tournament, the staff there also needed to provide on-site ticket selling to
satisfy the needs of the customers. Moreover, it did not make sense that it was
required that the one-year-old child needed to purchase the child ticket, as usually for
these kind of competition, only for the child who is above 3 years old is required to
purchase the child ticket. Therefore, for those children who are under 3, should be free
of charge.
6.2.2 Foreign athletes arrangements
Appledaily (2009) said that during the Hong Kong 2009 EAG, there were no proper
arrangements for the foreign athletes to prepare and practice. For instance, the Japan
National Football team had to assess to the Hennessy Road basketball court for their
practice, that basketball court was so small that it only had 400 square meters.
This showed that the government and the 2009 EAGHK Ltd. did not have proper
arrangements during the preparation of this event. Such embarrassing situation would
affect the international profile of Hong Kong seriously and people around the world
would doubt about the ability and capability in organizing international sport events.
The government and the 2009 EAGHK Ltd. should get contact with different national
teams of various contacts before they came and ask them if they would need any
sports venues for their training and practices, in order to provide sufficient venues and
proper transportation arrangements. This way, the various national teams could be
35
well prepared themselves before participating the tournaments.
6.6.3 Sport competition venue arrangement
There were some problems occurred regarding the setting and design of the sports
tournament venues, for instance: the South China Athletic Association and the Hong
Kong International Trade & Exhibition Centre for the shooting and bowling
competition respectively. Oriental News and Sun Report (2009) noted that for the
South China Athletic Association, for holding the shooting competition, as the venue
is not large enough, the ceiling is not high enough, during the prizes presentation
ceremony, the national flags and anthems of the awarded countries would be raised
and played respectively, yet when the national anthem of North Korea was only
played for one-third, their national flag had been raised to the top ceiling already. For
the Hong Kong International Trade & Exhibition Centre, during the bowling
competition, the audiences said that their view had been blocked by the coaches,
athletes and the electronic display board did not show the players’ names and their
countries, the audiences felt confused.
For the shooting competition, the government and the 2009 EAGHK Ltd. should find
their staff to inspect the sport competition venue before decided holding the
tournament there. If the venue is not large enough for the competition, they should
seek another sport venue which will be more suitable for holding the competition. For
the bowling competition, regarding the seating arrangement, there should be an area
which is specially for the coaches and athletes, so that the view of the audiences will
not be blocked and the audiences there can fully enjoy the competition. Before the
competition started, the staff of the sport venue should make sure if all the facilities
36
and equipments can be functioned well or they should prepare one more electronic
display board in case the original one has any problem during the competition.
6.6.4 Volunteers arrangement
For the volunteer arrangement, Oriental daily (2009) mentioned that some people
were full of enthusiasm in joining the EAG voluntary work, some people even asked
their companies for day off for participating in the EAG voluntary work, yet the
arrangements was far from satisfaction as the staff of the EAG was not able to provide
the detail arrangements and schedules and surprisingly at the end, one of the
volunteers was eliminated from the volunteer list. On the other hand, some student
voluntary helpers said that the working hour of the voluntary work was too long that
they could not attend school.
First of all, for those volunteers who took for the day off, arrangement should be
made for them to join the voluntary work for the morning and afternoon sessions; for
the students, as they have to attend lessons in the morning, therefore, the 2009
EAGHK Ltd. should arrange duties or work to them in the afternoon or the night
section. Secondly, the working hour of the voluntary work should not be lasted for too
long, as it is not a paid work. In addition, if the working hour is too long, the services
quality of the volunteers might also be affected. Hence, the 2009 EAGHK Ltd. should
make up working shifts for the voluntary workers, for instance: two working shifts
and 6-7 hours per shift; and should provide regularly resting time for the
volunteers,too.
In short, there is still room for improvements for the Hong Kong government and the
37
2009 EAGHK Ltd. in organizing the Hong Kong 2009 EAG, but undoubtedly, this
event had created numbers of positive social impacts and implications which brought
short and long term effect for Hong Kong. Moreover, this event had also aroused the
public awareness in the sport development and aroused their interest in getting
involved in participating, supporting and celebrating the sports competitions,
ceremonies, leisure programs, carnivals, volunteer work,etc. It showed the community
spirit and team spirit during the delivery of the Hong Kong 2009 EAG, hence the
Hong Kong government should continue offering funding and resources in supporting
such kind of integrated international sport event; with the support from the
government and the public, Hong Kong could be one of the world best cities in
holding the international mega sports event in future.
38
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