HKRFU to offer plan to cut the HK$7m cost of hiring Hong Kong Stadium
The government will listen to organisers in their bid to reduce the HK$7m charge for using Hong Kong Stadium at next month's Sevens
A top official says the government is willing to listen to a cost-cutting plan by rugby bosses outraged at the HK$7 million charge for hiring Hong Kong Stadium for next month's Sevens showpiece.
Home Affairs Bureau deputy secretary Jonathan McKinley revealed the government was willing to look at ways to reduce the cost of hiring the So Kon Po stadium for the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.
The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union will have to pay nearly HK$7 million - a percentage of the ticket and retail sales - to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department as the cost for hiring the venue for the Sevens from March 22-24.
"We advised the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union that if they were to come up with an alternative proposal we would be glad to discuss this," McKinley said.
The HKRFU has accepted the invitation and will soon put forward their suggestion as to how much they should pay to host the annual tournament, which is a major drawcard for local and overseas fans. Next month's event was sold out this month when the final 4,000 public tickets were snapped up in an over-subscribed ballot.
"We are very grateful for the government for asking us to come to the table. We appreciate this offer and will be putting forward our views shortly," said Union chairman Trevor Gregory.