Who needs Messi when you can have the Women’s World Cup
- It might be a pipe dream, but hosting the finals of one of the world’s biggest sporting events would be a huge coup and a true ‘mega event’
Hong Kong’s push to host “mega events”, as the city seeks to improve its post-pandemic economy, has met with mixed results.
There are high expectations this month with a variety of cultural attractions forming part of the “Art March” campaign. The star-studded LIV Golf tournament, meanwhile, estimated to have brought gains of up to HK$300 million, was hailed a success.
This has provided the city with welcome relief after the disappointment of seeing Singapore host sought-after concerts by singing sensation Taylor Swift and the non-appearance of football great Lionel Messi in an eagerly-anticipated exhibition game.
Other sporting events have suffered from poor organisation or low attendances. The city, having placed so much importance on high-profile attractions must ensure they merit their “mega” status.
One eye-catching idea floated at China’s recent “two sessions” political meetings is for Hong Kong, Macau and other cities in the Greater Bay Area to host football’s Fifa Women’s World Cup in 2031. This is worth pursuing.
Fok: Hong Kong should bid to host 2031 Women’s World Cup with Macau, GBA cities
It might be a pipe dream. Discussions are in the early stages. But hosting the finals, which have become one of the world’s biggest sporting events, would be a huge coup.
A proposal for matches to be staged in the GBA was submitted to China’s top legislature by Hong Kong deputy Kenneth Fok Kai-kong.
He argued that the area, encompassing Hong Kong, Macau and nine Guangdong cities, would be well prepared as it will be hosting the National Games next year. As a result, inter-governmental communication has improved and facilities are being upgraded.
Hong Kong’s long-awaited 50,000-seat Kai Tak sports stadium is expected to open next year. The prospect of the arena one day playing host to the women’s world cup is a tantalising one. But there is a long way to go.
The most recent Women’s World Cup finals were held in Australia and New Zealand last year. The event was a huge success. Football Australia estimated its economic benefits to the country to have been more than US$865 million.
Almost 2 million fans attended matches, more than half of them women, and the games were broadcast to 2 billion viewers worldwide.
But the impact of the event goes much further. Football Australia reported that hosting the finals led to a significant increase in attendance for domestic women’s matches after the tournament. It was even suggested the event inspired the population to become more physically active. The tournament increases awareness of gender-equality issues that stretch beyond sport. It can be a power for good.
China, which staged the first women’s world cup in 1991, announced in 2022 that it intended to bid for the 2031 finals. This was part of a new national strategy aimed at developing the women’s game. The women’s national team has provided the country’s long-suffering fans with something to cheer in recent years, amid poor performances from the men.
But the early performance targets set in 2022 have not been met. The team crashed out of the world cup finals in the group stage last year and head coach Shui Qingxia was sacked in November after a failure to qualify for this summer’s Paris Olympics. A fresh start is needed.
Women’s football, meanwhile, is growing in Hong Kong but needs much more support and the development of professional teams. The top players usually have to juggle training and matches with their day job or studies. Games are often played in parks and recreation grounds. The Hong Kong team is ranked 79th in the world, but would be expected to play in the finals if the city was a co-host. It could act as a catalyst for the development of the women’s game.
Hong Kong’s hosting of the Women’s World Cup is a dream. There is likely to be fierce competition in the bidding, with suggestions England is also interested in holding the 2031 finals.
But if that dream came true, it would give the city a boost in multiple ways. Never mind Messi, the Women’s World Cup would be as mega an event as you could hope for.
