Fans invited back to basketball when Hong Kong’s A1 Division league resumes
- A maximum 1,300 seats will be available at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai under current social distancing measures
- Shung Tak Alumni Eagle take on Nam Ching, while Eastern Long Lions meet Wellman Fukien when the league resumes on July 19
Fans will be welcome when domestic top tier basketball A1 Division resumes at Southorn Stadium in two weeks, but officials worry growing Covid-19 case numbers may alter their plans.
The current season was abruptly halted in early January when the city’s Covid-19 restrictions kicked in, but will resume at the Wan Chai indoor venue on July 19 when two matches set to take place.
“Our plan is to allow fans back as they have been deprived of the opportunity for a long period of time,” said Jerry Chan Chun-fei, vice-chairman of Hong Kong Basketball Association.
“The Southorn Stadium can accommodate a maximum capacity of 2,000 fans but under the current social distancing rules we can only sell 85 per cent of the tickets with consecutive seats to be limited to eight.
“The total number allowed will also have to include players and officials, referees and other working staff and even the media. Therefore we can probably sell a maximum of 1,300 tickets to fans.”
Chan said the association had one eye on case numbers in Hong Kong, and how the government would react.
“We have no plans to conduct the championship behind closed doors, but it all depends on the latest government policy,” Chan said.
