THE serious business of drinking at the Hongkong Sevens will be a shade lighter this year as organisers and brewers try to encourage fans to ease off the alcohol.
Light beers will be the only tipple on offer from the breweries' waitresses as they tour the stands over the weekend, and there will be far fewer of them.
New guidelines introduced by the Hongkong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) restrict the four beer suppliers to 20 waitresses selling beer at any one time - last year Fosters alone employed 170 women.
The companies were asked to produce light beers for the tournament, but HKRFU chairman Mr Stuart Leckie denied that the boozy image of the Sevens was under attack.
''We want people to enjoy themselves, but we want them to be safe as well, with everything done in proportion,'' he said.
''I think it's a good idea to have the light beer available this year when we are taking many special precautions because of the new stadium.'' The 250 stewards inside the ground for the Cathay Pacific and Hongkong Bank-sponsored event will be looking out for under-age drinkers and will ask anyone who is drunk and unruly to leave, whatever their age.
Yesterday, Carlsberg gave two British Lions a taste of its new light beer that goes on sale at today's 10s tournament at the Hongkong Football Club.
