HK sends largest-ever delegation to East Asian Games

HONG KONG, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong will send a largest-ever delegation, including 382 athletes and over 100 team officials, to the 5th East Asian Games to be staged here from Dec. 5-13, team official said Friday.

The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Tsang Yam-kuen presented the SAR flag to the Chef de Mission, Vivien Lau here at the Hong Kong Stadium, and wished the delegation a success in the East Asian Games.

The delegation will participate in all 22 sports in which cycling, cue sports, squash, table tennis and windsurfing are the medal hopes.

"The opponents are really strong. China sends a first-class team here, and we also have Japan and South Korea," said Fok Tsun-ting, President of the Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, referring to the medal expectation. "Mr. Tsang Yam-kuen just told the athletes that gold medals are not that important."

"However, our team leader seems to have much confidence," he added.

Hong Kong won two gold medals and 13 medals in total in the 4thEast Asian Games in Macao, China, while the host team then wrapped a total of 44 medals, of which 11 are gold.

The 5th East Asian Games, featuring some 2,300 athletes from nine countries and regions, will be held for the first time in Hong Kong from Dec. 5-13.