Hong Kong could miss out on hosting fencing World Cup if quarantine continues
- First ever World Cup leg in Hong Kong, for boys’ junior épée, is slated for December
- But the quarantine requirements for arrivals in the city could force governing body the FIE to move the event elsewhere
Hong Kong’s chances of hosting its first fencing World Cup tournament are in great jeopardy if the city’s government fails to further relax quarantine requirements, a senior official has said.
A World Cup leg for the junior boys’ épée next season has been slated for December in Hong Kong, in what would be the first time the city has staged the prestigious event following its recent success at international level.
But the existing “3+4” quarantine requirements would probably end hopes of staging the tournament, according to the Hong Kong Fencing Association.
“As far as we understand, the FIE [the International Fencing Federation] requires no restrictions for all overseas participants in the event,” association chairman Yeung Wing-sun said.
“If the government continues its existing mandatory hotel quarantine for people arriving in Hong Kong, which means international fencers will have to stay in hotel quarantine for three days before being allowed to go out, we don’t think the FIE would accept this.
“Until the government decides to relax its quarantine requirements – say if overseas fencers are allowed to go out to play and train immediately after their arrival but still be under medical surveillance – it will be difficult for us to obtain consent from the FIE.”
The proposed World Cup leg, featuring team and individual competitions, will be held over December 3 and 4, with the venue to be confirmed.