Match makers: Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mike Rowse, IMG's President for Asia & Pacific Breck McCormack, and Hong Kong Football Association President Timothy Fok all agree the football challenge will move Hong Kong closer to becoming a centre for international sporting events.

Soccer stars Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and Steven Gerrard are set to take on Hong Kong's best footballers next month.

InvestHK Director-General of Investment Promotion Mike Rowse today signed a contract securing Liverpool Football Club for an exhibition match at the Hong Kong Stadium on July 27.

Mr Rowse said the event will boost Hong Kong's post-SARS global promotion drive.

"I am delighted to confirm that Liverpool will be here, bringing their top stars - the full Liverpool squad," he said. "Michael Owen is a big name, and we are very happy he is coming."

Owen, Heskey and Gerrard are also England internationals who played at last year's World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Tickets will go on sale at the stadium at 9am on July 5. Underprivileged children will also be brought to the match to see their idols in the flesh.

Mr Rowse said that in addition to the match itself there will be other events for the team, such as a dinner reception at Government House, and visits to Hong Kong's tourist sites.

He said he called Liverpool's manager Gerard Houllier to personally assure him of the team's safety during their Hong Kong trip.

HK Football Association President Timothy Fok assured reporters that the match was more than a promotional event, promising some serious on-pitch action.

"This is not just a friendly football game. It is an important pre-season match for Liverpool. They are not just coming for a holiday," Mr Fok said, adding that it will attract more sporting celebrities to play here.

"Teams of this calibre coming to Hong Kong helps put us on the map - it shows Hong Kong is doing well."

Mr Rowse said the game showed the international community's confidence in Hong Kong is returning.

"This [event] is very important affirmation in the UK which is an important market for us," he said.

Mr Rowse said discussions were now being held to bring other top sports and entertainment stars to Hong Kong before the end of the year.

"We have some very attractive offers on the table, including one from the American Chamber of Commerce. However, we cannot announce them until contracts are signed."

Mr Rowse said other events under the Economic Relaunch Programme in the next week include a salute to frontline medical workers at Hong Kong Stadium tonight, a Government House dinner reception for about 100 new investors to Hong Kong on June 24, and Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa meeting students who have recovered from SARS.