Message from Dr. Patrick C. P. Ho, Secretary for Home Affairs In recent years, a sporting culture has taken a strong root in the community and sports have gained popularity among the people of Hong Kong. At the same time, members of the public are expressing a keen interest in major sports events staged in Hong Kong, either as enthusiastic spectators or active participants. At present, there are many spectacular international sports events held in Hong Kong on a regular basis - the Hong Kong Marathon, Rugby World Cup Sevens, and FIVB World Grand Prix, just to name a few. Every year these events bring world-class athletes to take part in the competitions, and attract thousands of spectators from all over the world to witness the action and share the fun. In addition to generating economic benefits to the community, these sports events help foster a sense of social pride and cohesion. The launching of the ‘M’ mark scheme by the Major Sports Events Committee in November 2004 marks an important milestone in the nurturing of more sustainable international sports events in Hong Kong. Now there is a steady addition of new ‘M’ mark sports events to our annual sports calendar, which will be widely publicized to prospective overseas tourists and sports enthusiasts. Local businesses can help with the development of sport and project a healthy and vibrant corporate image through sponsoring these sports events. At the end, there will be a win-win outcome for both the sports events and the corporate sponsors. You are cordially invited to actively support the staging of major international sports events in Hong Kong. Message from Mr. Herman S.M. Hu, JP, Chairman of Major Sports Events Committee Over the years, the Government has been working closely with the sports sector to promote sports for the benefit of the Hong Kong people. Established in October 2003, the Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) is tasked to help promote and provide funding support for the staging of major sports events. An “M” mark will be awarded to sports events which are deemed to have good potential of becoming a successful and sustainable major sports event in Hong Kong. The staging of major sports events can strengthen Hong Kong’s image as Asia’s sports events capital, provide impetus to local sports development and generate tangible economic benefits to the community. With the support of local business organizations, Hong Kong has been playing host to an increasing number of successful international sports events, such as the Hong Kong Marathon and the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens. These events attract worldwide media coverage and put Hong Kong firmly on the world map of major sports events. In anticipation of more international sports events to be staged in Hong Kong, local companies are presented with unprecedented opportunities to reach out to a wider group of potential customers and enhance their corporate image by being a staunch supporter of these worthy sports events. Being a member of Hong Kong community, your support and sponsorship is crucial for the sustainable development of the major sports events in Hong Kong. I would like to extend my invitation to you in signing on as a Founding Member of the Core Sponsor Group under the M-mark Scheme. “M” Mark Events Calendar “M” 品牌活動時間表 Event Date Organizer 活動 日期 主辦單位 31 Oct 05 – 6 Nov 05 Hong Kong Badminton YONEX-SUNRISE Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships 2005 Association YONEX-SUNRISE 二零零五香港公開羽毛球錦標賽 2005 年 10 月 31 日 香港羽毛球總會 至 11 月 6 日 27 Nov 05 – 4 Dec 05 Cathay Pacific Credit Suisse Privilege World Squash Open 2005 Hong Kong Squash 二○○五國泰航空瑞士信貸尊貴理財世界壁球錦標賽 2005 年 11 月 27 日 香港壁球總會 至 12 月 4 日 1 – 4 Dec 05 UBS Hong Kong Open Championship 2005 Hong Kong Golf Association 瑞銀香港高爾夫球公開賽 2005 年 12 月 1 日 香港高爾夫球總會 至 12 月 4 日 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2006 12 Feb 06 Hong Kong Amateur Athletic 渣打馬拉松 2006 Association 2006 年 2 月 12 日 香港業餘田徑總會 31 Mar 06 – 2 Apr 06 Hong Kong Rugby Football Cathay Pacific / Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2006 Union 二零零六年香港國際七人欖球賽 2006 年 3 月 31 日 香港欖球總會 至 4 月 2 日 Remarks: The above activities are sustainable annual events. 備註：以上活動為可持續性的週年活動 Major Sports Events Committee “M” Mark Events Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2005 Since the establishment of the Sports Commission (SC), the Major Sports Events Committee under the SC has awarded the first "M" mark event to the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2005. The Marathon is Hong Kong's single largest mass participation sporting event, which was held with great success on 27 February 2005. This year, the Hong Kong Marathon has been chosen as the final leg of the inaugural "Greatest Race on Earth" marathon races, a testimony to Hong Kong's increasingly recognized status in the international marathon circuit. Over 30,000 international runners and distance-running enthusiasts took part in this year's Hong Kong Marathon, marking a new record number of contestants for the event. Runners started on Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui and traversed the Western Kowloon, the Tsing Ma Bridge and the Ting Kau Bridge before crossing to Hong Kong Island via the Western Harbour Tunnel. The 42 km race finished at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wanchai. The winners of the Men's and Women's Open Marathon were Kenyan runner Samson Loywapet and Chinese runner Dai Yan Yan, respectively. Starting on Nathan Road at Prize presentation for Men's Prize presentation for early morning of 27 February Open Marathon Women's Open Marathon 2005 Prize presentation by the Prize presentation by the Major Prize presentation by the Elite Community Sports Committee Sports Events Committee Sports Committee Chairman, Chairman, Chairman, Mr Victor HUI Chun-fui, SBS, JP Mr CHAU How-chen, SBS, JP Mr Herman HU Shao-ming, JP (right at first row) (third from right) (second from right) Major Sports Events Committee “M” Mark Events YONEX-SUNRISE Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships 2005 YONEX-SUNRISE Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships 2005 are successfully hosted by Hong Kong Badminton Association from 31 October 2005 to 6 November 2005. In recognition of international significance, the Championships have been awarded the “M” mark status by the Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) under the Sports Commission (SC). Being 6-Star World Grand Prix Events featuring over 220 world’s best players from around 15 countries and regions, the Championships once again brought to the badminton lovers a series of exciting and spectacular competitions this year. After a series of thrilling competitions, all the Champions of the event have been created and they are Lin Dan (Men’s Singles), Zhang Ning (Women’s Singles), Fu Hai-feng / Cai Yun (Men’s Doubles), Yang Wei / Zhang Jie-wen (Women’s Doubles) and Xie Zhong-bo / Zhang Ya-wen (Mixed Doubles) respectively. It is inspiring to know that all of them are the representatives of China. Prize presentation for Mixed Doubles Exciting Competition for Men’s Doubles Players competing for the Champion of Men’s Singles Major Sports Events Committee “M” Mark Events Cathay Pacific Credit Suisse Privilege World Squash Open 2005 Cathay Pacific Credit Suisse Privilege World Squash Open 2005 is the first-ever World Championship comprising the World Women’s Open and the World Men’s Open Championships in a single event, featuring the players ranked in the world’s top 30. Being a prestigious international major sports event, the tournament has been awarded the “M” mark status by the Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) under the Sports Commission (SC). The tournament was hosted by the Hong Kong Squash from 27 November to 4 December 2005, with the final round staged in a see-through court at the Piazza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. All players and spectators had a wonderful evening by enjoying the exciting games with the Victoria Harbour as the backdrop. The champions of the World Women’s Open and World Men’s Open Championships were Nicol David and Amr Shabana respectively. The beautiful see-through court at the Piazza of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Prize presentation for Prize presentation for World Men’s Open Championship World Women’s Open Championship Major Sports Events Committee “M” Mark Events UBS Hong Kong Open Championship 2005 The Hong Kong Open Golf Championship is organized by the Hong Kong Golf Association annually and it has already become the largest golf event of the international sports calendar in Hong Kong. From 1 to 4 December 2005, the Championship, staged at the beautiful courses of the Hong Kong Golf Club at Fanling, showcased Hong Kong’s image as Asia’s world city and major sports events capital to the world. It also attracted many world-class golf players, and offered the golf lovers the opportunity to watch the outstanding skills of the professionals. After a series of spectacular competitions, Colin Montgomerie (Scotland) became the winner of this year’s Championship. The Championship has been awarded the “M” mark status by the Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) under the Sports Commission (SC) due to its international significance. The Championship was one of the Golf players concentrated on the breathtaking “M” Mark Events under MSEC competition The skillful performance of Colin Montgomerie, the golf professional Winner of UBS Hong Kong Open Championship 2005 Upcoming Major Sports Events Calendar 即將舉辦之大型體育活動時間表 (2006-2007) Event Tentative Event Schedule (month) Organizer 活動 暫定活動時間 (月份) 主辦單位 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon February Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association 渣打馬拉松 2 月 香港業餘田徑總會 Cathay Pacific / Credit Suisse Hong