Officials can learn from Sevens how to have successful events

There have been three issues in Hong Kong that may appear unrelated but are, in truth, connected. They all have something to do with the image of the city and also expose the government as being short-sighted.

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) is awash with money and is the envy of other sporting associations, according to Alvin Sallay's column (June 29). One can only imagine how envious the local soccer association feels, especially since soccer is so popular with Hong Kong people. I presume the head of the HKRFU is being asked what the secret is. Well, it is very simple: you take an idea that is slightly out of the box; you get committed people involved and you work hard for 30 years; then you commit to work hard for a further 30 years.

Also in the news has been HarbourFest. The people of Hong Kong should not forget what happened, because it shows, in many ways, the shortcomings of our government and some of our people. Instead of supporting the excellent music festival in Victoria Park, which had been held up by red tape and public disapproval, they threw millions at an event where grandstanding and being seen with ageing rockers was more important than the show. A million-dollar event without expertise was doomed to fail.

And finally, why do we let the Tourism Board drag out another worn-out idea - a food festival, as boring as the other sad events on its list?

As we see around the world and highlighted by the Rugby Sevens, small well-worked ideas over a period of time can be successful. Yes, there is no grandstanding and no photo shoots, but it works. I saw this short-sighted attitude I have talked about in evidence four years ago, when an attempt was made to organise the first Wan Chai street dragon boat festival, a fun day out but not repeated.

Let us build on what makes Hong Kong a great city to be in. Use people's ideas wisely, go to minority groups, highlight events and stop the red tape buck-passing. Make our home an event city. One good idea would be to support the gay community, which could put our city on the world stage with events it could help organise.