402 | Recreation, Sport and the Arts
main venue being located in Sha Tin and in Beas River and to give advice on equine matters.
The import arrangement for horses participating in the events was announced in March by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), and the Operation Manual on Quarantine and Biosecurity Measures was uploaded onto the AFCD website during the year. A ceremony to mark the start of the two-year countdown to the events was held on August 8, co-hosted by the Government and the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China. An 'Equestrian Events' website, www.equestrian2008.org and a programme for enrolling volunteers for the events were launched by the Equestrian Company in November.
The Equestrian Committee has been working closely with BOCOG, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Federation Équestre Internationale (FEI) to make the events a green, high-tech and a people's Olympics. Delegations from IOC, BOCOG and FEI visited Hong Kong between August 14 and 15 and were pleased with the progress made. Representatives of the National Olympic Committees of Germany, New Zealand, Brazil, Ireland and the Netherlands also visited Hong Kong during the year.
The major task ahead is to organise the Test Event in August 2007 and to implement a comprehensive educational, cultural and community involvement programme.
'M' Mark Status and Support Packages Scheme
The 'M' Mark Status and Support Packages Scheme was launched in November 2004 by the Major Sports Events Committee of the Sports Commission. The main aim of the scheme is to help the NSAs develop more sustainable major international events and to obtain greater support for them from the commercial sector and the community. In addition to logistic support from the Government, some 'M' Mark events also receive funds from the Arts and Sports Development Fund. In 2006, six events the Hong Kong Marathon 2006, the Hong Kong Sevens 2006, the Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships 2006, the Hong Kong Squash Open 2006, the Hong Kong Beach Festival 2006 and the Hong Kong Open Championship 2006 were given 'M' Mark status and support packages.
2009 East Asian Games
An expert group, called the 5th EAG Planning Committee, was set up in June 2004 to prepare for the 5th East Asian Games (EAG), which Hong Kong will host in 2009. Its members are drawn from the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, the sports sector, government departments and industries such as banking, tourism and airline. The committee will plan and prepare for the event, enlist community support, develop publicity and marketing strategies, and advise on the venues and facilities for the event.
There was extensive community participation in the competitions held for creating an emblem and a slogan for the 2009 EAG. The winners were announced in
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