HK$100 million for new pitch at Hong Kong Stadium - but government says 'highly unlikely' it can host crunch World Cup qualifier v China
Rugby tournament takes place on new surface a week before qualifier, but insiders believe security fears are real reason
The highly anticipated World Cup soccer qualifier between Hong Kong and China is unlikely to be staged at Hong Kong Stadium, despite government officials hailing the HK$100 million renovation of the troubled pitch.
Government officials called the pitch "top-class" yesterday, but warned it would not be able to withstand the two-day rugby sevens Olympic Asian zone qualifying tournament on November 7-8 followed by the World Cup qualifier a week later.
Government officials strongly hinted the World Cup match would need to move to a smaller venue - likely to be the 12,000-seat Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground.
"If you are asking me today - which is eight or nine weeks out - I would say it would be unlikely we would be able to provide a suitable surface," said Cameron Hodgkins, head of sports turf management at the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
"A world-class surface would be highly unlikely following such an intensive rugby tournament."
A world-class surface would be highly unlikely following such an intensive rugby tournament