The recent calls from sports community for a Hong Kong bid to host the 2019 Asian Games received positive response from senior officials.

Hong Kong has yet to announce our interests officially although several neighboring countries have already done so. The 2019 Asiad will start accepting bids to host the event in 2012, with a decision coming in 2013.

Will Hong Kong stand a good chance in the bidding? It is not a matter of effective canvassing tactics but will depend on the city's edge.

Ten years on, we have made much progress in providing sports venues. For Hong Kong's role as host for the East Asian Games (EAG), only two out of 21 sports venues were newly built. The rest were refurbished. By 2017, the completion of Kai Tak stadium could provide a world-class multi-purposed stadium with 10,000 seats. Hosting the 2019 Asiad would require that Hong Kong upgrade its sports hardware. We are still a long way from attaining required standard competition venues and the athletes' village for participating teams.

Last year's Equestrian Olympic Games presented Hong Kong a good chance for hosting a world sporting event. With trial and error, lessons and experiences have been learnt to improve software for sports events such as emergency routines and contingencies, traffic arrangements for athletes like accommodation, catering, transportation, broadcasting, ticketing and promotional work.

Sophisticated sports software in Hong Kong, however, is still far from satisfactory. The EAG was not as effective in its promotional strategies to galvanize support and encourage community involvement as we hoped it would have been; and coordination and logistics of the event left room for improvement. The EAG cannot be used as a successful showcase of Hong Kong's ability to host sporting events of such level and scale as the Asian Games.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics Games brought staggering changes to the country. But we should not be bewitched by the impact of hosting international multi-discipline sports events that can boost tourism and make a contribution to GDP. It is short-lived and instant. More importantly, hosting an international sports event can bring intangible social gains. It is instrumental in enhancing social cohesion, infusing stronger national identity and bringing a legacy for the younger generation.

Hosting the EAG is a far cry from hosting the Asian Games. The upcoming nine-day sports event will feature 2,300 athletes from nine countries and regions, while the 2010 Asian Games will have the participation of athletes from 45 countries and regions. Those who believe the EAG to be a springboard for Asiad are too optimistic as both games are incomparable in their magnitude and complexity. As shown in the Guangzhou Asian Games, more than 500,000 volunteers were gathered to take part in the event.

Some believe that a successful bid will give an immediate boost to sports culture. But Hong Kong people were never sports-mad except some football fans frenzied over live, televised English Premier League soccer matches. Before constructing huge stadiums and sports venues, we should have thorough planning for their future sustainable uses as many countries encounter the problems of outstanding vacated stadiums and sports facilities after hosting sports events.

Taxpayers are more concerned with the financial implications on public coffers and manpower required, as well as social implications like traffic pressures and sports development.

There are heated debates on huge budgets for mounting a bid for major sports events. Some argued that taxpayers' money should be used for other social purposes or support for elite sports and promoting general sports interest. More funding can certainly return better assistance for elite athletes in pursuit for sports excellence. Public participation in sports will also be improved with more resources for more public sports activities, more sports facilities and promotion of physical education.

But before floating the idea for public support, the government and sports community should stay cool-headed about Hong Kong's capability to undertake such an endeavor.

The author is a current affairs commentator

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(HK Edition 11/28/2009 page4)