Hong Kong Sevens ‘bringing positivity back’ to local rugby as organisers target 30,000 ticket sales

‘You can see that sense of positivity and morale coming back,’ says Chris Brooke, the Hong Kong Rugby Union chairman, ahead of Sevens from March 31 to April 2

Overseas interest expected to recover more gradually but is up on November’s first tournament in three-and-a-half years

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Hong Kong take on New Zealand as the Sevens returned last November. Photo: Ike Li / Ike Images

Published: 9:00am, 11 Mar 2023

The decision to stage two Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in five months is breathing life back into rugby in the city, its organisers say – even if it may take time for the tournament’s global appeal to reach the heights of yesteryear.

Chris Brooke, chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU), promised that all the elements that made the flagship event so renowned would be back in place for its 46th edition between March 31 and April 2.

He predicted that demand from abroad would recover more gradually, but believes the tournament’s revival has already unleashed a wave of positivity around the sport in Hong Kong, after it was subject to restrictions for long spells during the pandemic.

Swingeing cuts to the union’s budget – heavily reliant on revenue from the Sevens – and interminable delays to competitive action resuming had cast a shadow from which clubs and players have finally emerged.

The first post-Covid Sevens took place under measures including the requirement to wear a face mask. Photo: AP

“You can see and feel it,” Brooke told the Post. “For the union staff, for volunteers in the rugby community, you can see that sense of positivity and morale coming back.