The East Asian Games 2005 Coordination Office scheduled to hold a press conference on May 9 to announce further information on the Mascot and Anthem Contest. 

The contest is being launched as part of preparatory efforts for the East Asian Games 2005 to enlist public attention and support to the event, the first regional games to be hosted by the city. 

The aim of the contest is to pool ideas and talents in helping creating a lucky symbol and theme song for the games. The deadline for applications for the two contests was February 28.

The Mascot and Anthem Contest is open to all interested individuals and groups. Participants can take part in either one or both sections of the contest. The mascot competition requires that the Games' symbol should be one, which shows the cultural image of Macau and the spirit of the Games. For the anthem competition, participants have to compose a song, which can express the spirit of the East Asian Games 2005. The song should be in both Chinese and English versions.

The contest is the second such competitions organized by the East Asian Games 2005 Coordination Office. The first one, which focused on creating the Games' emblem and slogan held on November 3 last year, was very successful in creating universal awareness of the Games within the community. 

In March 1996, Macau was granted the right and honour to host the Fourth East Asian Games scheduled to be in 2005. Since then, many preparatory efforts have been made. Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government has demonstrated in action and policy its full support for the Games. The East Asian Games 2005 Coordination Office was set up in July last year. Besides, construction of new facilities such as the Macau Stadium, Future Gymnasium and Macau Olympic Aquatic Centre are now in progress.

The Third East Asian Games will be held in Osaka, Japan May 19-27 this year.