Hong Kong's preparatory work for the 2008 Paralympic Games Equestrian Events had been completed, a senior official of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Tuesday.

"After the successful conclusion of the Beijing Olympic Equestrian Events, the Government would do its best in preparing for the 2008 Paralympic Games Equestrian Events so as to realize the goal of 'Two Games, Equal Splendour'," said Secretary for Home Affairs of the HKSAR government Tsang Tak-sing at a press conference.

He said that he had earlier visited the Hong Kong Paralympic Village and the Paralympic Equestrian Events competition venue in Sha Tin, noting that various alterations had been made to meet the special needs of disabled athletes, such as facilities for wheel-chair users.

Tsang also said he hoped that through the events, the Paralympic spirit of transcendence, integration and equality could be further promoted.

Also attending the press conference were Lam Woon-kwong, chief executive officer of Hong Kong's Equestrian Company which is the organizer of the 2008 Paralympic Games Equestrian Events.

He said that a record-breaking 73 athletes and 71 horses from 28 countries and regions will participate in nine events, including Peng Yulian of China's team and Nelson Yip of China's Hong Kong team.

All Paralympic equestrian events, to be held from September 7 to 11, were dressage competitions, he said.

"We thank Hong Kong people for their enthusiastic support for the Olympic Equestrian Events," he said, noting that he hoped the people will render the same support for the paralympic equestrian events.

Tickets for the Paralympic Equestrian Events had been available for public sale since August 29 and so far, 60 percent of the tickets had been sold, he said.

The Paralympic Equestrian Events were much more than a sporting event, said Jenny Fung, chairperson of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee and Sports Association for the Physically Disabled.

"Appreciating the talent and skills of the dressage riders aside, we have much to learn from their resilience and perseverance, in particular their ability to take on the many challenges in life, work even harder, and excel," said Fung.

On security arrangements, the Police would maintain a high degree of vigilance and state of operational readiness during the Paralympic Equestrian Events, said Ng Ka-sing, chief Superintendent of Police Public Relations Branch of Hong Kong.

"We note that all the security measures implemented during the Olympic Equestrian Events have proved effective. Similar practices will be adopted during the Paralympic Equestrian Events by putting in place and maintaining at all times appropriate levels of security," he said.

"The force will work in close partnership with the Equestrian Company and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the events," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2008)