Charmain Li, 17, Sha Tin College
Experience can be the best teacher for making decisions. The 2009 East Asian Games (EAG) - hosted by Hong Kong - was described as 'a success in promoting the sporting culture in Hong Kong' by Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing.
Before the Games opened, there were concerns that they might fail to ignite the interest of the public. However, major competitions sold out, and nearly 40,000 people packed into the Hong Kong Stadium to watch the hosts proudly win their first gold medal in football.
We saw the Hong Kong team achieve unmatched success at the 2009 EAG. Making the most of their home advantage, they won 110 medals - of which 26 were gold - well above the previous record total of 13 EAG medals.
This success shows the benefits of hosting a major international sports event. Not only do such competitions encourage athletes to perform better on 'home turf', they also promote sports and exercise and make the people proud.
Although taxpayers may be shocked by the cost of hosting such a big event, much of that money can fund better sports facilities and training programmes in Hong Kong. Such an investment benefits both elite athletes and the public in the long run.
Hosting just one big event won't transform the local sporting scene - but, with the right support, every step we take towards hosting the Asian Games will enhance the local sports culture.