Letters | Fussy Hong Kong Premier League footballers should leave their pitches to cooped-up children

Professional footballers complaining about their temporary training facilities seem oblivious to the efforts of the people working to keep the facilities open

Reading Time:2 minutes

Hong Kong national soccer team players train at the Jockey Club Football Training Centre in Tseung Kwan O in June 2019. Hong Kong Premier League clubs have complained about the facilities at the centre after matches were moved there following the coronavirus outbreak. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 6:10am, 28 Feb 2020Updated: 6:10am, 28 Feb 2020

When I read “Hong Kong clubs threaten to boycott matches if government is unable to reopen football venues after March 1” (February 14), I was appalled by the utter selfishness on display.

It is bad enough that people are panic buying, thus making it difficult for many to obtain daily necessities but to learn that Hong Kong Premier League clubs are threatening to boycott games because they do not like the training facilities in Tseung Kwan O made me angry. These clubs are extremely lucky to have the opportunity to play anywhere at the present time: they should bear in mind that many other people do not even have the chance to take their children outside to play as many public facilities are closed, even though some experts have said everyone should try to keep healthy by spending time outdoors and in fresh air.

These privileged sportsmen, however, are complaining because, although they have been provided with a place to continue playing football, the facilities are apparently not good enough for them: the changing rooms are too small and too far away from the pitch. My heart bleeds for them.

These people are supposed to be fit athletes; surely a little extra walking to get to the pitch will not hurt them, especially as they are among the elite few who can actually still get outside and continue playing football even if not on their home grounds.

Their selfishness is brought into relief by the fact that although many people are allowed to work from home during the current coronavirus crisis, thus avoiding much risky contact with large groups of people such as those on public transport, the people who run the football training facilities, maintain the pitches and keep the place open for use still have to go to work every day and each time they travel, they are exposed to the health risks currently associated with taking the MTR or bus. These people are selflessly going about their business so the footballers can continue to play, yet the only thanks the workers are getting are complaints about the facilities and the threat of a boycott.

The football clubs should be told that if they are not happy with the situation they should go home, abandon their football season and vacate the training pitch for local schoolchildren while schools are closed. I am sure the children will appreciate this wonderful opportunity much more than the arrogant professional footballers.