Hong Kong has never been considered a sports culture city, but all that could change when the Asian Sports Expo 2002 gets under way this weekend at the Tamar site in Admiralty. Billed as the largest sporting exhibition of its kind in Hong Kong, with an expected attendance of more than 65,000 over the weekend, the Expo's main aim is raise awareness of sports - and help the SAR become more sports minded like other developed countries.
'We are trying to encourage people to get out of their desks and participate in sports, whatever that might be,' said Laurence James, regional exhibition sales manager for Key Media International, organisers of the Expo. 'We hope people will want to take more interest in sports activities, whether it is golf or rock climbing.'
Hong Kong is a much less developed sports cultural nation than say Australia. But things could improve in the SAR, especially as the Expo will be riding on the back of Beijing's success in hosting the 2008 Olympics and China's World Cup finals qualification.
'It's good timing for Asia in particular. Not only is it on the back of Beijing's Olympic success and China's qualification for the World Cup finals, but it is the same year as the Asian Games in South Korea,' said James.
Timothy Fok Tsun-yin, president of the Hong Kong Sports Federation and Olympic Committee, will officiate at the Expo's opening. Fok believes the event is a step in the right direction in making Hong Kong the sports cultural capital of Asia.
The Expo will be a real eye-opener for the casual sports enthusiast. More than 100 booths will be opened with demonstrations, and fun and games organised by about 20 sports associations.
