Sheffield Business School
BSc (Honours) Events and Leisure Management
Title Hong Kong should not bid to host the 2023 Asian Games
Name Chan Pik Man
Student No 91206569
Month Year April 2011
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Business School
Title Hong Kong should not bid to host the 2023 Asian Games
FULL NAME Chan Pik Man
STUDENT No 91206569
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
Acknowledgements
My supervisor, Mr. Calvin Ng, play a decisive role in my dissertation. Without his patience and recommendations, I would not have been written this dissertation. I would like express sincere gratitude to him.
Also, I would like thank my friends for their support and suggestions. They encouraged me when I was doing the dissertation. Also, they found out the mistakes in my dissertation. It can let me to improve my dissertation.
i
Abstract
1. This dissertation studies why Hong Kong should not bid to host the 2023
Asian Games. The main objective of the study is that Hong Kong
community, the government and sport association can recognize more the
weakness of Hong Kong in bidding of 2023 Asian Games.
2. The desk research method is adopted in this dissertation which involves
finding public surveys, government documents, magazines, newspapers,
website as well as literatures to build the theory.
3. Hong Kong should not bid the 2023 Asian Games due to five key factors,
which are shown as following:
A. Hong Kong Government didn’t have comprehensive plan for the bid.
Researching local community interest is key element for successful
bids (Masterman, 2009), but the government didn’t involve their
interest in the consultation paper of the 2023 Asian Games.
Furthermore, most of the stakeholders of the Olympic Movement
emphasize cities have the comprehensive environment plan in
bidding process. (United Nations Environment Programme, 2007)
Nevertheless, the paper didn’t mention how the 2023 Asian Games
can bring environmental development to Hong Kong. Those reflecting
the consultation paper of the2023 Asian Games is not a strategic plan
to bid the games.
B. Hong Kong may not win the bids under serious environmental
pollution. ii
C. Lack of local community’s support is one of negative factors to hinder
the bids.
D. The economic impact of international sport event is important criterion
when cities consider staging the sport event (Masterman, 2009)
However, the projected economic benefits in the consultation paper
are short-term in nature. In addition, Hong Kong Government didn’t
create the valuable legacy assets via the games. In order to meet the
2023 Asian Games, Hong Kong need to spend large expenditure to
build or update large indoor sport venues into the games. Therefore,
hosting the 2023 Asian Games would not bring huge economic
benefits to Hong Kong.
E. Hosting the international sport events doesn’t boost sport
development and strengthen sport culture in Hong Kong, so Hong
Kong doesn’t need to bid the 2023 Asian Games.
4. Hong Kong Government should consider the need of public before
planning the bids. Additionally, the government should make environment
plan in the bids. On the other hand, Hong Kong should boost sport
development and promote sport culture through improving existing sport
facilities and sport policy.
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Table of Contents Page Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………….….i Abstract………………………..…………………...... ………….…………...…..ii-iii Table of Contents…………………………………………………… ………………iv
Chapter 1 – Introduction………………………………………………..……….1-13 1.1 Background…………………………………………………………………... 1 1.2 Value of the dissertation……………………………………………………...2 1.3 The Background of Asian Games………………………………………...2-3 1.4 Objective………………………………………………………………….…...4 1.5 Methodology………………………………………………………………..5-7 1.5.1 The selection of data……………………………………………….5-6 1.5.2 The limitation………………………………………………………..6-7 1.6 Literature review……………………………………………………..……8-13
Chapter 2- Findings and analysis……………………………………..……...14-21 2.1 Lack of comprehensive plan…………………………………………..14-15 2.2 Serious environmental pollution in Hong Kong…………………..….15-16 2.3 Lack of public‘s support………………………………………………..16-17 2.4 Lack of assessing the economic development………………………17-20 2.5 Lack of promoting sport development………………………………..20-21
Chapter 3 - Conclusion and recommendation………………………………22-27 3.1 Conclusion………………………………………………………………22-24 3.2 Recommendation……………………………………………………… 24-27
Reference……………………………………………………………………….28-33
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Hong Kong should not bid to host the 2023 Asian Games
Chapter 1 - Introduction
1.1 Background
In recent years, Hong Kong Government strives for hosting major sport events
such as co-hosting 2008 equestrian events and hosting the 2009 East Asian
Games. Furthermore, the "M" Mark System is launched in 2004 by the Major
Sports Events Committee in order to nurture more sustainable major sports
events in Hong Kong. (Major Sports Event, 2009) The press releases on
whether Hong Kong should bid for 2023 Asian Games (2010) show that the
government considers the successful hosting major events would not only
promote the development of sport in Hong Kong, but would also bring
significant benefits to society which include enhancing social cohesion and
highlighting Hong Kong‘s image as Asian’s world city. Also, the government
believes the 2009 East Asian Games was a successful sport event for Hong
Kong, thereby Hong Kong community should support Hong Kong to host other
international events.
Because of above the factors, panel on Home Affairs launched a letter that
support for the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong China
to submit a letter of intent to bid the 2023 Asian Games in June 2010.
(Legislative Council Secretariat, 2010) Although staging the 2023 Asian
Games and Asian Para Games were rejected by the Hong Kong Legislative
Council Finance Committee, it caused heated argument in Hong Kong
community.
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1.2 Value of the dissertation
For Hong Kong
The value of the dissertation is that it can identify the shortcomings of Hong
Kong in consultation process of the 2023 Asian Games. Lack of sport indoor
facilities and sport policy are also the main reasons to hinder Hong Kong
biding the games. Furthermore, it will define the key elements of successful
biding of the international sport games. The local community’s support is key
factor for the government and sport association in the winning of bids, but most
Hong Kong residents didn’t support to host the 2023 Asian Games. Hong Kong
should not bid the games under many negative factors. In addition,
recommendations will be provided in this dissertation, so it can be the reference for Hong Kong in next bids of the international sport events.
For event maker
In the dissertation, event marker can recognize more hosting major event may
not bring positive impact. The possible negative impacts can destroy those
benefits and even effect the organization development. (Yu, 2004) It advises
that the successful of major events requires the superior management team
which can balance all parties of the event to be the positive impacts. (Bowdin
et al., 2006)
1.3 The Background of Asian Games
The Asian games are held every four years in different Asian cities. This
multi-sport event provides opportunity to athletes from all over the
Asian continent to compete. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has organized
this international sport event which is under the supervision of the International
Olympic Committee. (Olympic Council of Asia, 2009) 2
In fact, the 1St Asian Games were performed in 1951 in New Delhi, India. The
Asian Games Federation, which was the predecessor of OCA, organized the games. This game was originally a small-scale sport event. It only had eleven nations participated the games and the number of participants was not over
five hundred athletes. Also, the games only had six sports competitions.
(Olympic Council of Asia, 2009) Nowadays, the Asian Games are the second largest sports event in the world. (Sports Biz Asia, 2010) The 16th Asian game
was the biggest event in history of the games which took place in Guangzhou.
A total of 476 events in 42 sports were carried out in this game. About nine
thousand athletes were attended the games. The next Asian Games will be
held in Incheon, South Korea in September 2014. (Olympic Council of Asia,
2009)
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1.4 Objective
The proposed research has following objectives.
A. Identify factors contribute to the successful of bidding a games.
B. Investigate why Hong Kong should not bid to hold the 2023 Asian Games.
C. Make suggestions on factors in improving strategies of bidding
international sport games.
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1.5 Methodology
The desk research approach was adopted in this dissertation which also known as Document Research. Desk Research seeks out and examines available data to build a research project. (Thompson, 2006) Therefore, this dissertation is depending on many public surveys, government documents, magazines, website, newspapers and literatures to study a theory.
1.5.1 The selection of data
The dissertation need understanding Hong Kong residents’ perspectives about
Hong Kong whether bid to host the 2023 Asian Games, hence three different
public surveys were found via searching on internet .These three public
surveys are The Civic Party‘s, New century Forum‘s as well as Radio
Television Hong Kong (RTHK) and the University of Hong Kong Public Opinion
Programme (HKUPOP)‘s. The Civic Party, which is a local political party in
Hong Kong, organized the survey for two times before and after Hong Kong government launched reducing the bid cost of the 2023 Asian Games. Total of interviewees were over four thousand in these two surveys via random telephone interviews. (Civic Party, 2010) New Century Forum consists of professionals, business and financial personnel, the chiefs of small and medium enterprises and scholars. It had survey report of the 2023 Asian
Games bid after the government reducing the direct cost of the games through random telephone interviews. (New century Forum, 2010) RTHK and
HKUPOP jointly organized the” Deliberative Forum on 2023 Asian Games Bid”.
The activity was divided into two parts, which includes a public sample of not less than 3,000 Hong Kong residents, and an invitation for 100 people to attend a debate. (The University of Hong Kong Public Opinion Programme, 5
2011)
A number of newspapers, magazines and website were examined in the
dissertation. There were many reviews about the bids. In those researches,
the cases of international sport events were also found by the newspapers and
website. The aims of those cases seek to understand the positive and negative
impacts of the major event by studying single examples.
Other main research in the dissertation is government documents which
involve report and minutes of meeting. Those documents get more detailed information about the whole consultation process of the 2023 Asian Games and the projected plan of the games. The sport policy of Hong Kong
Government could be found in those documents. In addition, the dissertation studies about the key factors of hosting and bidding the international sport event are required by city. Hence, the literatures focus on event management to identify the impacts of international sport event and the key element in the winning of bids.
1.5.2 The limitation
The cases of international sport games were used in the dissertation to
analysis those impacts for the host city. The 2009 East Asian Games and the
2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Event were important reference in the dissertation. The dissertation will examine hosting international sport
games whether have a strong influence on Hong Kong through assessing
these two sport games. However, it was difficult to find the information of 2008
Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Event in the research process. The event 6
official website in Hong Kong was deleted, so the government documents were
used in the dissertation to recognize the event.
In addition, lack of literatures investigates the impact of these two sport games.
It hinders the process of the study. Although Hong Kong Government made some reports of the 2009 East Asian Games, those reports aren’t provide impartial evaluation for the games. Also, most literatures review the 2008
Olympic Games. Therefore, the dissertation explored the impact of these two games via news and websites.
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1.6 Literature review
Masterman (2009) defines the bidding process is becoming increasingly more important. He studies successful bidding required to identify a number of the
key factors which may be critical in the winning of the bids. He collected the
cases and researches propose a bid will not win without the support of a local
community. Therefore, one of key factors of successful bids involve the
management of community with stakeholders, especially with the local
community. In order to gain the local community's support, researching their
interest and involving them in consultation are importance element in the
bidding process.
Preuss (2007) in ‘The impact and Evaluations of Major Sporting Events’ cited
Preuss and Solberg’s ‘Attracting Major Sporting Events: The Role of Local
Residents.’ It also think the local and national residents play an important role in the bidding process of major sports event because the committees or governing body need financial funding from the public sector to produce high-quality events. Also, they considering local residents can create a positive atmosphere during event. Getz (2007) concerns the event impact, which whether are positive and negative, depends in part on the level of community involvements.
Those three literatures identify the importance of public‘s view when cities decide whether bid to host international sport games. For example, Hong Kong
Government initially estimated that the direct total cost of hosting the 2023
Asian Games would be in the order of HK$13.7 – 14.5 billion at the current price level, which included $3.2 – 4 billion operating cost and $10.5 billion 8 capital cost. (Asian Games Bid Team, 2010) According to press releases about The Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs on bid to host 2023 Asian
Games and Community Care Fund (2010) report that, the government reduced the direct total cost to 6 billion at the current price level due to respond to the public's concern on the costs. Public’ view can affect the decision made by governing bodies.
In addition, Masterman (2009) analyzes that knowledge and management are the essential elements in bidding process. He conducted many sample to prove that the bid team should be experienced executives such as using key figures that can make the bids winnable. He also found that Olympic bids commonly invite key personage with national and international influence in bidding team. For instance, Franz Beckenbauer, who was a member of the
West German team, was invited by Germany in bid for the 2006 World Cup. He cite Emery (2001)’s study to identify the importance of knowledge in the bidding process. Emery (2001) studies that bidding teams should have superior knowledge not only of rival bid content, it also of the management teams who will present and highlight their proposal.
Furthermore, many studies define a comprehensive plan for successful events are necessary. Masterman (2009) said that the effective planning of the event is the key element because it can minimize negative impacts and achieve the potential positive impacts. Furthermore, four studies concern the importance of event planning and they develop a detailed process of strategic planning for event planner to achieve the goals of event. (Getz, 1997; Shone A and Parry B,
2010; Allen, et al, 2008; Tokildsen, 2005) Getz (1997) considers how to 9
prepare the biding process in event. Its study outlines the major components of the bid document. Assertion of financial and economic feasibility as well as
financial plan and budget is one of key components in the bidding process.
Additionally, it describes that the comprehensive feasibility study can be
defined as an evaluation of the desirability and suitability of an event proposal.
The proposed event should be evaluated its full costs ad benefits. United
Nations Environment Programme (2007) also point out that all cities have a
comprehensive environmental program in preparing and staging the Olympic
Games because each games is expected to generate a sustainable legacy. In
addition, the environmental plan can promotes environmental awareness,
policies and practices via the games. Therefore, comprehensive plan is other
key factors in bidding process.
On the other hand, Masterman (2009) considers that bidding can be an
expensive strategy, so the assessment of bids is recognized that may be
strategically used for legacies and other benefits whether win or not. He
concerning the economic impact of major sport events is important critical
when cities or countries consider holding the sport event. He considering regeneration and legacies of events are not only built environment, the benefits of city renewal project also provide longer-term benefits in community such as providing employment opportunities. He mentions some England city through hosting the major sport games created social activities. In Manchester, the long-term targets of hosted the 2002 Commonwealth Games were that increase employment as well as set to come from the prescribed local area around Sports city.
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Also, Masterman (2009) emphasizes the impacts of infrastructure
development can be both positive and negative. The newly erected and
redeveloped facilities can be long-term legacies to host city, but the city
authorities don’t have strategic planning to use the facilities after the major
sport event. It causes negative effect that is superfluous physical structures.
Indeed, many literatures concern the impact of events. Yu (2004) also indicates that cities invest in the international games so that bring the positive economic impact after the games. In this study, it identifies hosting the international games can bring long-term benefits to host city. Those possible benefits depend on the host city to whether utilize the legacy assets after the games. It also point out that infrastructure development, urban regeneration and enhanced international profile are the most important legacy to host city.
Yu used the case of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games to explain the benefits of urban regeneration. Homebush Bay, was formerly a 7.6 sq km wasteland in the western part of the Sydney, were developed as the principal site for the
Olympic venues during the Games and has been re-developed as a sports, recreation, and entertainment centre as well as a large residential and commercial community after the Games. Staging the international sport event can bring huge and long-team benefits to host city as long as the governments can utilize the resources.
However, Yu defines that the short duration of sport games would not necessarily justify hiring new employees and creating new fulltime position. Its study concerns hosting international sport games can bring negative economic impact to host city and even those negative impacts can offset the positive 11 impacts. Import-leakage problem and expenditure switching effect can reduce the net income of staging the games and even these expenditures can cause negative financial result to host city.
Masterman (2009) notes a negative example of hosting the international sport events. This case not only reflects the problem of superfluous physical structures, it also proving staging international sport events without comprehensive plan can bring long –term bad effect to host city The Olympic
Stadium for the Montreal Olympic in 1976 was unfinished at the time of games.
Also, the stadium wasn’t completed until 1987 since the cost overruns and engineering problems caused that. Because of paid off the debt, the government also diffused the cost onto Quebec citizens thought national lotteries, taxes on tobacco products and property. Final payment was achieved in 2007.
Bowdin et al. (2006) also examine a number of positive and negative impacts that including social and cultural, physical and environmental, political as well as tourism and economic. In order to achieve the overall impacts of events that can be positive, they stressing event maker should identify and predict the positive and negative impacts of the event and then to manage them on the best balance for all parties.
These three literatures show staging the event may not bring the benefits to host city. Hence, required for hosting successful international events base on the government that whether is able to balance the impacts of event.
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Additionally, Getz (2007) defines that the outcomes and impacted of the event can be able to evaluate the worth of event, so the events can be justified to all stakeholders. The evaluation of the impacts of the events should be necessarily when city decide whether bid to host the event.
Bowdin et al. (2006) think that the impacts are calculated during the actual timeframe of the event. They cite Bramwell (1997)’s view to give an indication of the aftershock of the event. He found that although the debt caused by the city during the event, the city had been designated a city of sport and had benefits from an extensive program of national and international events. They consider that the event should have long-term assessment, so it can form a full picture of the impact of the event. For example, the total operating cost of the
Beijing Olympic Games was 19.343 billion Yuan (Lei, 2009) Also, the directly cost was not calculated such as Beijing’s $40 billion infrastructure buildup after the games. (Wu, 2009) Although it was huge cost for Beijing, the Olympic
Games could generate long-term benefits to China such as enhancing China profiles in the world(Sommer, 2008) and showcasing Chinese culture to the rest of world (Masterman, 2009).
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Chapter 2- Findings and analysis
The dissertation defines several reasons that Hong Kong should not bid to host the 2023 Asian Games. Furthermore, case studies and research would be used to identify the weakness of Hong Kong in hosting the international games.
2.1 Lack of comprehensive plan
Hong Kong Government is not well prepared to bid the 2023 Asian Games especially the financial estimate. Preparing the business plan not only obtains the financing support, it also shows management ability to all stakeholders.
(Getz, 1997)The original financial estimate include upgrading three indoor sports centres in Yuen Long, Tai Po and Sha Tin so that deal with lack of large of sport indoor venues. In order to resolve public‘s opposition, Hong Kong
Government adopted new proposal that reduce the cost of updating sport facilities during the consultation process .Thus, some sport events would need to be scattered in different venues and the proposed indoor sports centres reduce the spectator capacity. (Home Affairs Bureau, 2010) Although the new financial estimate could respond to public ‘view, some legislative councilors opined that Home Affairs Bureau didn’t have well plan on the cost estimate.
They were also confused about why the cost estimate could be reduced drastically within a short period. (Legislative Council Secretariat, 2011)
Superior event management is important in biding process. (Masterman, 2009)
However, Hong Kong Governments changed the budget plan of the 2023
Asian Games in consultation process. It shows they didn’t able to recognize and identify the key bids factors. The importance element for bids is that 14
research local resident’s interest. (Masterman, 2009) The original budget
could not consider public’s view. This case shows that Hong Kong would not
win bid under existing management team.
After sport and culture, the environment has been the third pillar of Olympism
from 1996. The International Olympic Committee has taken the lead various
stakeholders of the Olympic Movement to promote the philosophy to life.
(International Olympic Committee, 2010) Therefore, all cities are required to
focus on environmental and sustainable development issues in bidding to host
the games. A comprehensive environment plan is one of the factors for Hong
Kong in winning of bid, (United Nations Environment Programme, 2007) but
the consultation paper of the 2023 Asian Games didn’t consider the
environment development. Therefore, Hong Kong would not win the games
under lack of comprehensive plan.
2.2 Serious environmental pollution in Hong Kong
In fact, there are several environmental contaminations in Hong Kong
especially waste and air pollution. According to Environmental Protection
Department report, 4.9 ton of wastes were land filled in 2008 and the waste
loads have continuous growth. (Environmental Protection Department, 2010)
Additionally, many studies examine that the visibility in Hong Kong has a large deteriorating trend. (Tao, 2003; Leung and Lam, 2008; Ove Arup & Partners
Hong Kong Ltd 2009) It reflecting Hong Kong has facing serious air pollution.
Many overseas companies concern air pollution in Hong Kong and even many expatriates don’t be willing to work in Hong Kong. (Sun Search Group,
2010)Hence, Hong Kong would not win the bids under those environmental 15
factors.
2.3 Lack of public‘s support
‘The impact and Evaluations of Major Sporting Events’ (2007) cited Preuss and
Solberg’s ‘Attracting Major Sporting Events: The Role of Local Residents.’ It show that local and national residents play an important role in the biding of the
2023 Asian Games because governing bodies wants support from residents to decide the hosts. Hosting international sport events needs substantial investment by the public sector. (Preuss and Solberg, 2007) Therefore, the local community's support is one of the key elements in the winning of bids.
(Masterman, 2009) In consultation process, different organizations made public surveys. Those are non-governmental organizations, so the research should be neutral and report the public‘s view in Hong Kong accurately.
According to three public survey reports, many Hong Kong residents don’t propose to bid the 2023 Asian Games. (Civic Party, 2010; New century Forum,
2010; The University of Hong Kong Public Opinion Programme, 2011) The
Civic Party and New century Forum’s public survey also examined that over half of Hong Kong residents don’t change standpoint of the bidding after Hong
Kong government launched reducing the bid cost of the 2023 Asian Games.
Hong Kong community expressed strong opposition to bid the2023 Asian
Games. If Hong Kong government forces to host the games, the games must cause community alienation. Therefore, the government should not bid the
games.
The public survey found that Hong Kong residents concern the possible cost of
the games would be high, hence the government should not waste public fund 16 in one sport events. They also consider Hong Kong Government doesn’t have strategic sport policy to promote sport development. (Civic Party, 2010; New century Forum, 2010) It is an undeniable fact that staging the games would bring high cost to Hong Kong and sport development in Hong Kong is very slow.
2.4 Lack of assessing the economic development
According to many literature reviews, hosting international sport games would bring economic benefits to host city. The main economic benefits involve job creation, attracting business and tourism, increasing income from the games –related expenditure and urban revival. (Yu, 2004)Hong Kong
Government reports that the projected economic benefits in quantifiable terms are estimated about $400 million to $500 million at the current price level.
Hosting the 2023 Asian Games would directly and indirectly create about
9400to 10100 jobs. (Home Affairs Bureau, 2011)
However, Hong Kong Government‘s estimation is false appearances. Hosting the2023 Asian Games would only have short-term economic advantages to
Hong Kong. Regarding the aspect of employment, the short duration of the games doesn’t necessarily create full time position or hire new employees.
Many employers may only request existing employees to work overtimes or hire temporary positions to meet additional demand created by the games. (Yu,
2004) For example, The Equestrian Events (Hong Kong) of the Games of the
XXIX Olympiad Company Limited (the Equestrian Company) was established on 15 February 2006. It aimed at implement the day-to-day organizational work of 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Event under supervision of 17 the Equestrian Committee (Hong Kong) of Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. (Home Affairs Bureau, 2007) The
Equestrian Company was closed after the end of the 2008 Olympic and
Paralympic Equestrian Events. Over five hundred employees were hired about two and a half years only. Of there jobs, over four hundred were temporary or part times positions. (Man, No Date). Apple Daily, which is local newspaper in
Hong Kong, also reported that the Equestrian Events transferred over four hundred existing civil service to be additional workforce. (Lo, 2008) The
Equestrian Event reflecting hosting international sport games can ease short –term employment problem.
In addition, the assessment of economic impact of hosting the 2023 Asian
Games only bring short-term benefits to Hong Kong. Indeed, games legacies are important for host city because host city could able to utilize those legacy assets that would generate long-term benefits to city. (Yu, 2004) The case of
2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, staging the games could build newly developed areas to drive around the commercial development and create social activities. Although Guangzhou has many large-scale sport venues and sport facilities, Guangzhou Government also built Asian Games City in the
Panyu District due to develop the south of Guangzhou. (Hui, 2010) Hong Kong
Government pointed out that the economic benefits of hosting the 2023 Asian
Games only involve attracting tourists and business and job creation. Those are short-term benefits before and during the games. Hong Kong didn’t create the legacy assets in their consultation paper to keep the benefits after the games. As the result, the games would not bring huge economic benefits and long-term advantages to Hong Kong.
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Also, staging the 2023 Asian Games could not generate huge economic advantage. Hong Kong is currently lack of the large sport infrastructure to meet the 2023 Asian Games requirement. Hence, the cost of building large sport infrastructure would be very high. The Asian Games involve 45 nations participating and about 36 sports, so large sports venues can accommodate many oversea spectators and athletes and officials in the host city. For example, about thirteen thousand athletes and officials joined the 2010
Guangzhou Asian Games. Also, two million tickets of the games were sold.
(Olympic Council of Asia, 2009) Indeed, Guangzhou has enough resources to host the 2010 Asian Games. There were originally many large sport venues and facilities in Guangzhou. Those venues and facilities are the legacies of the
National Games of the People's Republic of China. Guangzhou Government still invested in about eight billion Yuan to redevelop and newly built sport venues. (Hui, 2010) Therefore, the 2010 Asian Games could be the biggest event in the history of the Asian Games. (Olympic Council of Asia, 2009)
In Hong Kong, a lot of indoor sport venue lack of the seating areas for spectators (Leisure and Cultural Services Department, 2010) and only Hong
Kong Coliseum can accommodate more than 4 000 people. Though Hong
Kong Government didn’t propose to match Guangzhou’s levels of venue capacity, they must invest much money in large sport infrastructure. For example, Hong Kong Government proposed to speed up the development of
Kai Tak Multi- Purpose stadium Complex and other redevelopment projects to meet the games’ need. Those projects are estimated to cost about $30.17 billion. (Asian Games Bid Team, 2010) However, the cost of these projects was estimated at current level. After Inflationary pressure, those costs may 19
increase to $45.8 billion in the next ten years. (Legislative Council Secretariat,
2011) It reflecting staging the2023 Asian Games may cause heavy
expenditure to Hong Kong.
The games would produce heavy financial burden to Hong Kong. Furthermore,
the projected economic benefits caused by the games are short-term in nature.
Bidding the 2023 Asian Games does not merit unless Hong Kong Government can point out huge economic benefits from the games.
2.5 Lack of promoting sport development
Although Hong Kong has staged many international sport events, those events
could not boost the sport development and build a strong sports culture for our
next generation. An honorary adviser to Hong Kong Elite Athletes Association
suggests the government should strengthen sport education in school to
develop sport culture. (Ho, 2011) The study identifies that school –base can effect youth and children to increase physical activity. (Chronic Disease Risk
Reduction Unit, 2008) It reflecting school –base physical education is an
important element in developing sport culture. Nevertheless, Hong Kong ignored the importance of this education. For example, Home Affairs Bureau’s
Sports Policy Review Team launched ‘A Strategic Policy for Sports
Development’ in 2002. (Sports Policy Review Team, 2002) The report recommended school should increase physical education time in the curriculum such as from two lessons to three lessons weekly to provide more sporting opportunity for students. Nowadays, most students still have just one physical education lesson a week. (Ho ,2011; Neighbourhood and Worker’s
Service Centre．Distrit Council Member Wong Yun-tat’s Office, 2010) 20
Furthermore, some retired athletes and associate professor in sport said that the government is lack of comprehensive policy for retired athletes in China
Daily. They point out that retired athletes are special group in the community.
Because of training, retired athletes are commonly lack of proper education. It cause parents can not encourage their children to pursue careers in sports.
Education is very important for professional athletes since they can build up another life after sporting career, but the government have no specific time frame to give comprehensive athlete retirement plan up till now. (Yeung, 2011)
The Gloria Chan Hok-yan's blackmail case show the sport policy for retired athletes is unsound. She, who is a former Asian Games boat rower, could not find a well-paid job and found herself stranded in poverty after retirement since she is lack of proper academic qualification. (Yeung, 2011)
These two example show Hong Kong Government doesn’t strive for sport development thought Hong Kong Government hosted international sport event such as the 2009 East Asian Games.
Because of many negative factors, Hong Kong should not bid to host the 2023
Asian Games.
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Chapter 3 - Conclusion and recommendation
3.1 Conclusion
Hong Kong Government has many experiences in hosting the international
sport events, but the government should not bid the 2023 Asian Games
currently. The dissertation identifies five factors that involve lack of comprehensive plan, serious environmental pollution in Hong Kong, lack of
public support, lack of assessing the economic development as well as lack of
promoting sport development.
Hong Kong should not bid the 2023 Asian Games due to lack of a
comprehensive plan. The government knows hosting the 2023 Asian Games
need large the indoor sport venues. In Hong Kong, only one sport indoor
stadium can accommodate more 4000 spectators(Asian Games Bid Team,
2010), hence updating existing sport indoor centers is essential cost of the
2023 Asian Games. However, the government didn’t have strategic planning to
the bids. They originally made high budget, but it was criticized by community.
In order to deal with this issue, Hong Kong Government reduced drastically the
financial estimate in the consultation process. (Home Affairs Bureau, 2010)
The key bids component involve researching local community interest
(Masterman, 2009), but the government did not concern community interest when they planed the budget of the bids. Furthermore, a comprehensive environment plan is an important element in the successful bids since most stakeholders of the Olympic Movement focus on environmental development issues in bidding process. Nevertheless, Hong Kong didn’t concern environment development via hosting the 2023 Asian Games. Therefore, the consultation paper of the2023 Asian Games is not a well prepared plan. 22
On the other hand, environmental pollution in serious condition is one of negative factors for Hong Kong. The above mentioned that the international
sport committee concerns the environmental factors in bidding process, so the problem of waste and air poorer will hinder Hong Kong to win the bids.
Other factor is lack of support of local community. Many studies found that local resident’s support is an important factor in successful bidding. According to three different organization‘s public survey report, many Hong Kong people don’t support the bids. (Civic Party, 2010; New century Forum, 2010; The
University of Hong Kong Public Opinion Programme, 2011) More opponent concern hosting 2023 Asian Games would bring heavy expenses to Hong
Kong. Also, they are not satisfied with Hong Kong sport policy caused by lack of long- term sport policy in Hong Kong. (Civic Party, 2010; New century Forum,
2010)Therefore, Hong Kong would not win the bids under strong opposition.
Hosting the 2023 Asian Games would not have huge economic benefits to
Hong Kong. Hong Kong Government evaluated that staging the games will generate about $400 million to $500 million at the current price level to Hong
Kong and create a large number of jobs. (Home Affairs Bureau, 2011)
Nevertheless, they point out the projected economic benefits such as attracting tourist and business only maintain a short period of time in Hong
Kong. The case of the 2008 Equestrian Events point out that the new positions
for staging the international sport games are temporary or part-time and the
employers require employees to perform other task to fulfill additional workforce. It shows that games-related jobs created are short-term economic 23
effects to Hong Kong. Also, many host cities can use the legacy assets to
make long-term benefits after the games such as the case of the 2010
Guangzhou Asian Games, but Hong Kong government could not create any
valuable legacy assets via hosting the 2023 Asian Games.
In addition, staging the games may bring heavy expenditure to Hong Kong. In order to deal with lack of large indoor facilities, the government suggested speeding up the development or re-development long-term sports venue projects. The projected indirect cost of these projects would be about $30.17 billion at current level. In the next ten year, those costs would increase over ten billion Hong Kong dollar after inflation affects. (Legislative Council Secretariat,
2011) Hong Kong should not bid to the event since the 2023 Asian Games would not bring huge economic effect.
The development process of sport in Hong Kong is very slow. Although Hong
Kong hosted many international sport event, sport policy still has many problems. The importance of sport education in school is that involves youth in sport and then promotes their interest. Nowadays, the sport education is still ignored in school. Therefore, the sport culture can not have strong development at community level. Furthermore, Hong Kong’s sport policy is lack of a comprehensive athlete retirement plan for the athletes. As the result, the international sport games may not promote sport development.
3.2 Recommendation
In fact, Hong Kong can deal with the above five negative factors. The
dissertation will make some recommendation in following paragraphs. 24
1. Concerning more local community‘s need or view
The consultation paper of the2023 Asian Games should consider various
needs. The defect of the original plan is that the government did not
concern local residents’ perspectives. In fact, the relevant department
hastily re-plans the financial estimate to meet public need. The image of
Hong Kong Government should be affected by this issue since some
residents no longer believe the government which can be able to
understand their view. In order to gain the local community’s support, the
government should make the research to identify their interests early in
the planning process. (Masterman, 2009) The government can base on
public‘s suggestion to make a plan of the events. It can avoid the above
issue happening.
2. Planning a green games
The above mention that the environment development wasn’t regarded in
consultation paper of 2023 Asian Games. Indeed, it is an important
element in the successful bidding. The government should make a green
sport games in next bidding. It not only responds to the stakeholders of
the Olympic Movement’s requirement, but also drives environmental
awareness, policies and practices in Hong Kong community. (United
Nations Environment Programme, 2007) For example, Beijing planed a
series of twenty key environmental commitments to improve of city’s
transport and increase city‘s green coverage through hosting 2008 Beijing
Olympics Games. (United Nations Environment Programme, 2009) Hence,
Hong Kong Government should emphasize the environmental
development in next international sport event’s bids. 25
3. Increase in construction of sport facilities
Hong Kong Government promise that sustains to development or
re-development long-term sports venue projects such as building Kai Tak
Multi- Purpose stadium Complex regardless of whether Hong Kong were
to host the Games.(Legislative Council Secretariat, 2011) Also, the above
mention that Hong Kong is lack of large indoor facilities. Therefore, the
government should speed up the construction of those sport events for
Hong Kong. Otherwise, it will be a negative impact for the government
since residents will not believe the government‘s promise.
4. Improvement sport policy
According to public survey reports, the local community didn’t support the
bids because they are unsatisfied the sport policy. As the result, Hong
Kong Government should improve existing sport policy. In past, retired
athletes are lack of comprehensive plan to help their retirement life. Hong
Kong Government should employ retired athletes and provide on-job
training to them for shot-term plan. (Yeung, 2011) In long –term
development, the government should have detailed plan to retired athletes.
Those policies can bring huge benefits in sport. It will encourage the
athletes to perform at their best since the plan can increase their sense of
belonging. The long-term benefit is that the policies will inspire youth to
pursue a career in sport. (Yeung, 2011) As the result, the government
should improve the sport policy for the athletes immediately.
School-base sport education is an important element to develop sport
culture since it can promote the students' interests in sport. In fact, the 26
studies and advisers of recommendation for school physical education
should increase in the curriculum. (Ho ,2011; Neighbourhood and
Worker’s Service Centre．Distrit Council Member Wong Yun-tat’s Office,
2010) Increasing physical education not only promotes sport culture in
school, but also builds and maintains youth healthy. (Chronic Disease
Risk Reduction Unit, 2008) Therefore, Hong Kong Government should
implement this suggestion.
To sum up, the dissertation point out the negative factors that Hong Kong should not bid the 2023 Asian Games. However, Hong Kong has undeniable achievements and attractions such as sound financial condition and international profile. Hong Kong can host international sport event shortly as
long as they should improve those negative factors.
27
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