Hong Kong Premier League suspended another three weeks after escalation of Covid-19 cases in the city
- Hong Kong Football Association chief Pui Kwan-kay hopes the season can still finish in May
- The government has closed the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground, which has been used for matches played behind closed doors since March 7
Hong Kong’s domestic season remains at a standstill after the Football Association on Monday extended its suspension of Premier League matches for another three weeks.
With Hong Kong still battling to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, HKFA chairman Pui Kwan-kay said after a special board meeting on Monday that football was not ready to return.
“The government has repeatedly reminded people of less contact and avoiding social gatherings to minimise the possibility of [Covid-19] infection,” said Pui. “This is a difficult period and if the situation is getting better after three weeks, we hope to restart the season again.
“We are still aiming at finishing the season in May but it depends on the developments regarding the virus, and we want to contribute in fighting against it. The entire community has been affected and it’s not only football that is suffering.”
The government has closed all its venues, including the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground – which has been used for matches played behind closed doors since March 7. A statement from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department over the weekend said: “In view of the latest situation of Covid-19, the leisure venues and cultural facilities reopened earlier this month will be temporarily closed starting from March 23.”