Back of the Net
Originally from Serbia, Stevic Rankovic plays for the Rangers Football Club in Hong Kong’s top division. He talks to Kentigern Wong about the world’s favorite game and his colorful career.
HK Magazine: Do you like performing in front of crowds?
SR: I don’t necessarily see myself as an entertainer or a showman, but every professional sportsman loves playing in front of a crowd. The biggest crowd I’ve seen in Hong Kong was about 5,000 people, which isn’t bad at all.
HK: How frustrating is it that the local football fans pay more attention to the overseas league than the local one?
SR: It’s their choice. It’s undeniable that the glamour and the superior standards of foreign leagues make them appealing, but I’m not bitter. After all, I’m being paid to do what I love.
HK: How can the standard of football in Hong Kong be improved?
SR: First of all, the professional teams in need their own fields, which would allow them to develop their junior teams. Also, instead of just inviting the established teams at a fee for exhibition games, the football authority could invite the best youth teams from around the world and let the best local talents compete against them.
HK: Why do local sports suck?
SR: The standard over here is in fact decent. It’s a shame that lots of people have this perception, which is something the local fans fail to acknowledge. Also, when all the kids here are playing on their PSPs, it’s hard to imagine where they’d find the incentive to go to the park and kick a ball around.
To follow the Rangers, visit www.rangers.com.hk. The Hong Kong Football Association also conducts courses and organizes local leagues, www.hkfa.com.