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More events are being planned when Argentine football star Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team visit the city on Friday, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung says.
Speaking in a radio program yesterday, Yeung said the government is in talks with Miami to host football events for at least two days, including performances before the one-off exhibition match with a Hong Kong squad on Sunday.
He believes the Messi activities will draw attention from the world while showcasing Hong Kong’s cultural characteristics. But the government will respect the team’s decision and will not force them to attend the events.
“They are world-renowned football players, and have their own considerations,” Yeung said. “Of course, we want to show [Messi] around as soon as he arrives in Hong Kong, but he may have to prepare for the match and take some rest.”
Yeung said the government will try to invite internationally renowned singers to perform in Hong Kong but whether the stars decide to visit is a commercial decision.
Asked if the government could offer subsidies to lure international stars to hold concerts here, he said the authorities should stay cautious when spending public money. “If the government can subsidize international singers to visit Hong Kong, why don’t we do the same to local stars?” he said, adding many Hong Kong singers are also famous around the world.
Hosting large-scale events can not only attract tourists but also create more job opportunities and boost the local economy, he said, adding the Hong Kong Tourism Board will approach event organizers overseas and invite them to host events here.
Many mainland tourists were stranded in Hong Kong after the New Year countdown, but Yeung is confident this will not happen again after the fireworks display on the second day of the Lunar New Year.
Meanwhile, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said the government will remove barriers to maximize the economic and social benefits of large-scale events.
In his blog yesterday, Chan said over 80 large-scale cultural, sports, financial and trading events will be held in Hong Kong in the first six months of the year, reiterating that the SAR will serve as a “super-connector” to enhance local and overseas exchanges.
“We will further strengthen communication and interaction between local sectors and their mainland and overseas partners,” Chan said.
“We will also actively invite different guests to visit the city to experience the unique charm and cultural atmosphere in Hong Kong and expand the city’s circle of friends.”
He said the government will enhance internal coordination to offer full support to event organizers through an inter-departmental coordination group of various bureaus headed by Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun.
“The group aims to ensure the full support of large-scale events. It will also remove barriers appropriately at different stages to maximize the social and economic benefits brought by the events.”
