The 4th East Asian Games Organizing Committee of Macao (MEAGOC) is in full swing in its preparation for the East Asian Games to be held in 2005.

One of the projects it has worked on with the University of Macao (Umac) is an E-ticketing system, which was officially launched on October 18. From now on, people can order game tickets online.

Another one of MEAGOC's promotional activities was organized on October 13-14 when it set up counters on the Umac campus and encouraged students to take part in this event as volunteers. About 205 students were recruited at Umac. These volunteers will be given a series of training sessions about the structure of MEAGOC, the plan for the 4th East Asian Games and its related projects.

"I saw the advertisement about recruiting volunteers all around Macao," a 4th year student Tiffany Leong said. "I am interested in it because I think it's a big event in Macao and if I can join, I can learn more…. I just simply downloaded an application form from the committee's website and now I am in. I am very happy about that."

Another student Catarina Lei said, "There are different kinds of people who have joined as volunteers. There are middle-aged women and teenagers. I don't think high qualifications are needed to be a volunteer because once you are selected, you will be given some training to get more knowledge about the Macao East Asian Games."

"I am so proud to work there because it is a big event in Macao and I can learn a lot there," she added.

Some foreign students are also attracted by the event. "I have seen the big advertisement about the 4th East Asian Games 2005 on the mountainside when I was in Macao," Niklas Casserstedt, a former exchange student from Sweden said. "I think it would be a good way to show other Asian nations that Macao is more than just a gambling city."

In July 2000, the Macao 2005 East Asian Games Coordination was established. On January 1, 2002, it was replaced by MEAGOC, which is under the leadership of the Macao SAR Government. With the help from consulting agencies such as the Consultative Council of the Macao 2005 4th East Asian Games, the Infrastructure Work Group and the Security Task Force, MEAGOC's job is to prepare for the coming East Asian Games.

On September 15, 1991, the East Asian Games was proposed at the 1st Assembly of the East Asian National Olympic Committees (EANOCs). Later in November, the East Asian Games was approved. In 1993, the first game was held in China. On May 17, 1993, the 6th EANOC Meeting was held in Shanghai. EANOC was then renamed as the East Asian Games Association (EAGA). EAGA Members include the People's Republic of China, Macao, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Mongolia and Taipei.