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LettersMatch-fixing brings shame to Hong Kong football, once the pride of the city
- Readers discuss the arrest of 23 people in an ICAC crackdown, the contractual obligations of those who employ domestic helpers, and Hong Kong banks’ overreliance on mortgage income
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Over half a century ago, Hong Kong football had a great reputation in Asia. In 1956, the city was the first host of the AFC Asian Cup and Hong Kong finished third.
The most celebrated victory that is still talked about by old football fans like myself was on May 19, 1985, when the Hong Kong team faced the Chinese national team. Hong Kong needed a win to get to the next round of the qualifying game of the 1986 Fifa World Cup. Almost everyone thought the chances of Hong Kong winning were very slim, but miraculously, Hong Kong won 2-1. On their return from Beijing, the players were hailed as heroes and received deafening applause from a big crowd of fans at Kai Tak airport.
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In recent years, Hong Kong football has been on a downward spiral. Even so, a few diehard fans would still turn up for key local matches at Mong Kok Stadium.
Unlike places like Brazil and England, Hong Kong is not filled with talented and passionate players. So I don’t expect the local teams to play at world standards. What is important is the sporting spirit.
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But to my dismay, some players today are apparently more interested in making a quick buck than improving their skills to win glory. The Independent Commission Against Corruption this week arrested 23 people, including a coach and 11 players from a football team, in its biggest crackdown on match-fixing in recent years.
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