A cosmopolitan city like Hong Kong, which proudly claims a litany of 'biggests' and 'firsts', is sadly disadvantaged when it cannot boast a stadium able to host pop concerts of international standard. It is no comfort to know that the international fame - of a certain kind - surrounding our existing stadium has zoomed out of all proportion following the Urban Council's decision to kit out concert-goers with a noise abatement uniform of gloves for silent clapping and headphones to pick up the distant sounds of a muffled piano. The international press is constantly looking for headlines which offer readers the chance to enjoy a good chuckle as a counterweight to the ills of the world. Hong Kong certainly provided them with that last month. The story went round the world. But once is enough to be the butt of global humour. If the city is to get a new stadium, there can be no more mistakes this time. It has to be in the right place, of the correct design, and the result of full and constant consultation between all departments and organisations which will be involved in its existence. If planners learn from past mistakes, the proposal to build a new multi-billion dollar sports arena on the West Kowloon reclamation near Mei Foo is one which most people will welcome. There may be a more muted reaction from residents of Mei Foo Sun Chuen, whose first response could be to worry in case history repeats itself, and they lack the clout of people in plush So Kon Po to turn down the volume and ban pop concerts. A roofed stadium, or a retractable cover, should remove that risk. The venue suggested will also be well served by transport links. So if the money can be found to build it, the new arena will ease pressure on the Coliseum and Mongkok Stadium. The Jockey Club can be forgiven if it hesitates before donating massive sums for another stadium, but the incentive this time will be to have its name linked with a facility which is popular with audiences and residents alike. That does not excuse the waste of Hong Kong stadium, which is almost twice as big. But there remains no reason why major concerts should not be staged there on at least four or five occasions a year, perhaps on Sunday afternoons. Rules can be suspended now and again. Councils should favour the interests of the majority, not the few.