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Opinion | Monolingual National Games ticketing system is a bad look for Hong Kong
If Hong Kong is serious about drawing international crowds, National Games ticketing should be friendly to non-Chinese speakers
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The last time I checked, Hong Kong still considered itself a world city, one where East meets West and international talent gathers. We have been told ad infinitum that the city is a “superconnector”, while Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also calls Hong Kong a “super value-adder”.
But it seems those in charge of National Games coordination didn’t get the memo. National Games tickets went on sale last Thursday morning, but soon hit a snag: the online ticketing system did not provide an English-language interface, meaning that many among our international talent struggled to buy tickets for matches that will be held right here in the city.
Welcome to Asia’s World City, indeed. While bilingual slogans proclaim “Play for the Dreams in GBA” and “Dream for the Games in GBA”, some of us can only dream of easily getting tickets to the National Games.
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The government has attached great importance to Hong Kong’s co-hosting of the National Games – the country’s highest-level sporting event – for the first time. As part of the Games, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy Rugby Sevens Competition will take place at Kai Tak Stadium in November.
Has the government forgotten how it celebrated “Super March”? Just five months ago, there was so much self-applause for pulling off mega-events, attracting international audiences and fostering economic development. How is it possible that this same administration doesn’t see the National Games as a mega-event that would attract international audiences?
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The chief executive himself attended the first Hong Kong Sevens held in Kai Tak and lauded its success in “promoting Hong Kong as a hub for international sporting events”. He said he found himself “in the middle of a grand celebration. It was an unforgettable and excellent experience.”
02:02
Fans descend on new Kai Tak Stadium for Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament
Fans descend on new Kai Tak Stadium for Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament
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