Soccer tournament scores 'golden goal'
The 'beautiful game' drew pro and amateur footballers - their wives, girlfriends, children and domestic helpers in tow - to Stanley Fort on a fun-filled, sunny and cool day last Sunday.
Along the way, they raised HK$1.06 million for Operation Santa Claus, a charity drive co-organised by the South China Morning Post.
The amount raised was much more than the 'HK$500,000 to maybe HK$750,000' forecast by Brian Crockford, the volunteer organiser of the five-a-side football tournament, now in its 11th year.
'I was absolutely blown away. I am lost for words,' said Mr Crockford, of the real estate and facilities division of Microsoft Hong Kong, who knew the global financial crisis was hitting donor teams hard.
'This is quite staggering, particularly when you look at how much fun it is but still managing to generate so much revenue for this wonderful charity that supports it.'