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participation and support from the commercial sector as well as the community. Apart from logistic support from the Government, 'M' Mark events are granted funds from the Arts and Sports Development Fund. In 2005, five sports events
the Hong Kong Open Badminton Championship 2005, World Squash Open 2005, Hong Kong Open Golf Championship 2005, Hong Kong Marathon 2006 and Hong Kong Sevens 2006 were awarded the 'M' Mark Status and Support Packages.
East Asian Games 2009
In November 2003, Hong Kong won the right to host the East Asian Games 2009 (2009 EAG). The 2009 EAG Planning Committee was established in June 2004 with a membership of representatives from the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, the sports sector, relevant government departments and related sectors in the community including business, banking, tourism and airlines. The committee will plan and prepare for the games, enlist community support, develop publicity and marketing strategy, and advise on the venues and facilities.
The committee launched a series of exhibitions and activities to promote the games in 2005 including the 2009 EAG Emblem Design Competition and the 2009 EAG Slogan Competition. An official website, www.2009eastasiangames. hk, was also launched and a gallery on games with displays featuring the Olympic movement and Hong Kong's sports achievements was established at the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre. Admission to the gallery is free.
The hosting rights of the EAG were formally transferred from Macao to Hong Kong on November 6 at the Macao 4th EAG closing ceremony. The EAG flag was handed over to the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, in Olympic Square at Hong Kong Park.
2005 Bun Carnival
The Bun Scrambling Event was revived in 2005. This unique, traditional activity of the Cheung Chau Bun Festival had been suspended for 26 years after the collapse of a bun tower in 1978. With the support of local organisations, the department explored all safety measures and resolved technical difficulties with the works. departments and professional organisations. The event was jointly organised with the Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee.
The 2005 Bun Carnival, held at the Pak Tai Temple Playground in Cheung Chau, ran from April 30 to May 16 and its activities attracted more than 5 000 participants and tens of thousands of local and overseas spectators. Both local and international media gave the highlight of the carnival the Bun Scrambling Competition
extensive coverage.