If you build it, they will come: Premier League Asia Trophy demand highlights need for Kai Tak Sports Park, says official
Over 50,000 tickets for next month’s two-day tournament at Hong Kong Stadium snapped up in 24 hours, but local official Brian Leung Hung-tak wants the finance committee to approve new venue
Football Association chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak heaped pressure on the government’s finance committee and their final approval of HK$31.9 billion Kai Tak Sports Park project by claiming the high demand for Premier League Asia Trophy tickets proves Hong Kong could easily fill the proposed 50,000-seat stadium.
Over 50,000 tickets for next month’s two-day tournament at Hong Kong Stadium involving Liverpool, Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace were snapped up within 24 hours as the popular event returns to Hong Kong for the fourth time overall and first time since 2013.
But it will again be played in front of a sold-out but outdated 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium, which was slammed in 2013 for having a “killer pitch” by then Sunderland coach Paolo Di Canio after torrential rain hit Hong Kong during the tournament.
Following the approval by the public works subcommittee last week, the long-awaited project on the former airport site now needs to be put forward to the finance committee to receive the required budget.
If the government fails to obtain the green light before the current council year closes in July, they will probably have to wait until December to resubmit the project before facing a construction period of four to five years.
“It proves the enthusiasm for big events in Hong Kong as the Asia Trophy ticket sales has told us,” said the outspoken official Leung.