Be The Legend - East Asian Games 2009
The countdown has started for this year’s East Asian Games to be held in the city that never sleeps, Hong Kong. The East Asian Games is a major event in the Asian international sports calendar, held once every four years. This year’s games, the fifth, run from December 5-13, with over 3,000 elite athletes competing for gold in 281 competition events across 23 sports, it is the largest multi-sport event ever held in Hong Kong and one of the largest in the world.

Slogan
A slogan competition for the 2009 games was won by Ms Choi Sau Chu with the short but pithy “Be the Legend”. Not only does the slogan represent the strength of mind needed to compete in the games but it also reflects the character of the Hong Kong people themselves. And no doubt, Hong Kong is hoping that this year’s games will live long as a legend in the minds of everyone taking part, spectator or athlete.

Mascots
“Dony” and “Ami”, the mascots for the 2009 East Asian Games, were designed by David Leung and Mou Mo, who adopted fire and lion as elements in their creations. Fire, with its continually changing form and its radiance of heat and light, represents the flexibility of the Hong Kong people while the lion symbolizes strength and confidence. The lion face also refers to Lion Rock beneath which Hong Kongers ‘nurture a mutually helping and continuously striving spirit’. The slight firework pattern on the bodies of the two mascots echoes the current emblem and the colours of the five Olympic rings.

You too can play your part in this historical event as a sponsor or volunteer – visit the EAG Exhibition Gallery (2/F, Hong Kong Park Sports Centre, 29 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong) or check out the games website www.2009eastasiangames.hk

2009 Olympic Day Run
In keeping with its theme “Move, Learn and Discover” this year, the Olympic Day Run follows a wholly new route in the Disneyland Resort area. Starting at the Hong Kong Disneyland Coach Park, the run goes for some 5km towards Sunny Bay via Inspiration Lake in an attempt to get people enjoying life more through exercise. And just so we don’t forget the East Asian Games coming up, another theme, “Hong Kong Readiness for the 5th East Asian Games”, has been tacked onto this event. Enrollment for corporate teams and individuals of all ages has opened and will continue until June 12.
What: 2009 Olympic Day Run When: June 28 at 8am Where: Disneyland Coach Park. Sunny Bay, Inspiration Lake How much: $30 (individual), $3,000 (corporate team of 10 persons) Enquiries: 2504 8215

FREE SCUBA Diving
Just imagine yourself 10m underwater, slowly drifting above a coral reef as curious brightly coloured fish come up, take a friendly look and then dart away again into coral crevasses. It could be more than just a dream if you summon the courage to take the South China Diving Club’s SCUBA Refresher Dive and Try Dive. Qualified divers will take you through all the steps of using a tank and regulator underwater as well as safety procedures etc – and you will have your first try-dive. And if you are already a seasoned diver, come along to hone your skills with others at your level. Anyone above the age of 14 is welcome to join the free-of-charge try-dive in the swimming pool.
What: SCUBA Refresher Dive and Try Dive When: June 6 at 2pm How much: Free Where: Henry Fok Swimming Pool, Stanley Ho Sports Ground, Pok Fu Lam Enquiries: training@scdc.org.hk

Top Racquets
In the Hong Kong Squash Society’s most prestigious competition of the season, the CROCODILE Hong Kong Closed Squash Championships 2009, local squash players will have the chance to compete against top national players. Not only at stake are glory and a trophy but the winner and semi-finalists will share a cash price of HK$20,000. Masters events for those over 35 will be held from June 2-5 while all other events run from June 8-13 - go check out the action.
What: CROCODILE Hong Kong Closed Squash Championships 2009
When: June 8-13 Where: Hong Kong Squash Centre, 23 Cotton Tree Drive Enquiries: 2869 0229 www.hksquash.org.hk