A bid too far : Hong Kong and the 2023 Asian games

In January 2011 Hong Kong's Legislative Council voted against any bid to host the 2023 Asian Games. Set against the background of the historical development of sport in Hong Kong including previous experiences with bidding for and hosting international sporting events, the key parameters of the debate within Hong Kong relating to a possible 2023 bid are analysed. The Hong Kong government's failure to win the day on the Asian Games bid was a result partly of a concern by the public and politicians that it had not previously demonstrated a genuine commitment to promoting grass-roots sporting activities in Hong Kong and partly of the problematic governance structure in Hong Kong which meant that no major political party could see electoral benefit from supporting the government.