Fok calls for GBA coalition to host sporting events

Sports sector lawmaker Kenneth Fok on Sunday called on the authorities in the Greater Bay Area to look into forming a coalition in a bid to secure the rights to host major sporting events in future. Speaking after taking part in a running event at the Kai Tak Sports Park, he said many cities in the area have the hardware, and that there can be more cooperation in attracting more functions. "In the next stage, I look forward to the Kai Tak Sports Park having closer liaison and connections with other venues in the Greater Bay Area," he told reporters. "They might form a coalition, some form of cooperation, so that different venues can go and snatch up some mega-sporting events. This is a possible way to make a bigger pie." Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong co-hosted the National Games last year. Fok noted that one of the initiatives in the country's 15th Five-Year Plan is to get the general population to exercise more. He also said the SAR government can coordinate more functions involving the entire city, so that the drive for a healthier China begins in Hong Kong. For his part, sports commissioner George Tsoi said since the sports park opened a year ago, it had hosted sporting events in over 200 days. On some of those days, he said, two or three events were being held concurrently at the venue. Tsoi also said Sunday's run, which involved many families, was one of those events that encouraged the public to exercise more. Edited by Edmond Fong