Hong Kong Sevens provides a guide for what new Kai Tak stadium should be
Deciding on submissions for the new Kai Tak Sports Park needs to get the mix right, and as the ongoing success of the rugby event shows, it is more than just being about sport
The success of the HSBC/Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sevens long ago proved we are able to host a world-class sporting event. It fuelled demand for a better venue than that at So Kon Po and work will start this year on a stadium at Kai Tak. The harbour-side location is spectacular and so is the HK$32 billion price tag.
But as the Sevens has shown, sports at their best are about more than just players on a field. If Hong Kong is to become a draw for high-standard competition, the mindset has to change and we need to start thinking now about which fixtures we want to attract or create.
Fortunately, we have the Sevens as a guide. From humble beginnings in 1976, it evolved into a literal game-changer for rugby union, creating a new form of competition and financing model. Quickly, it also became about more than sport, attracting a diverse crowd from around the world that also wanted a good time.
The carnival atmosphere at last week’s event, with musical acts and colourfully costumed spectators enjoying beer and loudly cheering every point, proclaimed that this is equally about entertainment. The Sevens joining a campaign to fight child trafficking and counter underage drinking also showed commitment and a social conscience.