Singapore may pounce on sports hub delay

Hong Kong ran the risk of being left behind by Singapore if it rested on its laurels, Trevor Gregory, chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU), said, highlighting an urgent need to build the Kai Tak sports hub.

'Right now, we are out there in front having the best sevens tournament in the world and hosting some of the biggest rugby games,' Gregory (pictured) said.

'But we cannot be complacent and rest on our laurels [because] once the Singapore Sports Hub is built, it can pose a serious threat.'

Gregory is worried about the time frames involved. The Singapore Sports Hub will be completed by March, 2014 while the Kai Tak venues will not be ready before 2019 - a five-year gap that, in sports and marketing terms, yawns as wide as the Grand Canyon.

'Once they get a top-class stadium up-and-running, and managed by a major group, they will bring a degree of competition that we haven't had in recent years. They will be able to host major events,' Gregory said.

The Hong Kong Sevens has been the jewel in the crown of the HSBC World Sevens Series. But with HSBC a partner in the private consortium that will build, operate and then transfer - after 25 years - the Singapore Sports Hub to the government, there is a real possibility that the Lion City will once again become a stopover in the International Rugby Board's (IRB) sevens series.

Hong Kong has also staged two Bledisloe Cup events - in 2008 and 2010 - and will host the British and Irish Lions in 2013. The Lions will stop over on their way to Australia to play a game against the Barbarians.