IOC mission to report on readiness

REPRESENTATIVES of the International Olympic Committee will visit Hong Kong next year to make comprehensive reports on the SAR's bid to host the Asian Games, the Government revealed last night.

Facilities will be at the top of their agenda, said Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, president of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee.

He said the business environment and overall organising ability were also important.

Since the Government has ruled out building specific sports grounds for the Games, questions were raised about how Hong Kong could cope.

But Mr Fok said 'faith and determination' were the keys to success.

'Facilities have always been a problem of concern to sportsmen. There is now a target for the Government to strengthen those facilities. But I must stress that this plan is not designed for the 2006 Games.

'Hong Kong should strengthen sports facilities to raise our living standards,' he said.

Mr Fok said the opening and closing ceremonies were not a key issue. 'The substance of the event is more important,' he said.

Mr Fok left last night for the Olympic Council of Asia meeting in Kuwait.

Wearing a hat bearing a logo of the 2006 Asian Games in Hong Kong, Mr Fok said he carried the full blessing of the Government. 'They wished me good luck, and that is what I am thinking.'