FOUR weeks away from Hongkong and the sporting scene is hardly recognisable.
It was very sad to hear of the departure from South China of strikers Steve Neville and Trevor Morgan, who banged in 49 goals between them last season as the Caroliners won the league title.
Now, in their wisdom, the South China management have shown them the door, with Neville - 29 goals last season - in particular harshly treated and hardly being given a chance this season.
On the cricket front, Hongkong international batsmen James Barrington and Richard Nuttall received, as it has turned out, timely Cathay postings to Vancouver and Malaysia respectively and will be missed around the leagues, while there was a postcard saying ''Auf Wiedersehen'' from Hongkong rugby winger Andy Allen, who has moved to Germany with the British Forces.
Leaving soon will be Clive Saffery, Club's football team manager who will be swapping Coca-Cola, Sha Tin, for Coca-Cola, Salt Lake City, where he plans to make the most of their corporate sponsorship of the Utah Jazz basketball team.
When asked if he would still be involved in football, Saffery replied: ''Sure - they need someone to run the World Cup in 1994.'' I think he was joking - but maybe not.