Fok hails 6th EAG as most successful

　　TIANJIN, China, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Fok Tsun-ting, honorary president of East Asian Games Association (EAGA), hailed the 6th East Asian Games (EAG), held from Oct. 6 to 15 in Tianjin, as the most successful edition in the games' 20-year history.

　　"After nine days of competitions, the 6th EAG will conclude tomorrow," said Fok during a news conference here on Monday. "The organizing committee has been working hard to stage a frugal, environment-friendly and high-level sports meet with special characteristics."

　　"In my mind, it was the last edition of EAG and also the most successful one," he added.

　　The EAG consists of competitions in 24 sports, including swimming (diving), athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, bowling, cycling, sports dancing, dragon boat, fencing, soccer, gymnastics, hockey, judo, karate, shooting, soft tennis, squash, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting and Wushu, with 254 gold medals in total granted.

　　"I want to say 'thank you' to the 6,800 volunteers and more than 30,000 working staff whose meticulous service helps to make the Games run smoothly. I also want to thank the city of Tianjin, where I can feel gracious hospitality during my stay," Fok said.

　　The quadrennial event has attracted 2,422 athletes from nine countries and regions to compete in 23 venues cross the city.

　　The East Asian Games, launched in 1993 in Shanghai, is a multi-sport event organized by the East Asian Games Association (EAGA) and held every four years.

　　After helping to promote sports in East Asia for two decades, the EAG would come to an end since the EAGA is considering transforming the EAG into a youth version featuring athletes aged from 14 to 18.

　　"This change will lead to further development of all the young athletes in east Asia, giving them a platform to compete and communicate with each other and also getting better prepared for the YOG and Asian Youth Games," Fok said.

　　The inaugural East Asian Youth Games will be staged in 2019 and the host of the new sports event, as well as the date, has yet to be decided.