The international sporting spotlight will be on Hong Kong in December when close to 3,000 athletes take part in the biggest East Asian Games (EAG).

From December 5-13, athletes from nine countries/regions in East Asia will gather to compete for 262 gold medals in a record 22 sports and 1,700 competition events.

Tickets for the 2009 East Asian Games can be purchased at www.hkticketing.com.

An Asian flavor accents the 5th EAG in Hong Kong, with Asian martial arts – Wushu (Chinese), Judo (Japanese) and Taekwondo (Korean) – accounting for nearly one-fifth of the gold medals up for grabs. The distinctly unique event of DanceSport is included and six sports - Cycling, Rugby Sevens, Squash, Table Tennis, Windsurfing and Cue Sports - will be making their EAG debut.

The city is making final preparations to welcome athletes from East Asia and visitors from around the world. Colorful banners carrying the EAG slogan, 'Be The Legend', and images of the twin EAG mascots, adorn the busy city streets, while the EAG video and theme song regularly hit the airwaves.