Fiji legend Waisale Serevi’s heart is with victims of Covid-19 amid first-ever cancellation of Hong Kong Sevens

The two-time World Cup winner is disappointed the 2019-20 World Series is halted but is looking forward to starting again next season

The Hong Kong Sevens icon says he feels for those who have lost their lives, jobs and incomes during the Covid-19 pandemic

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Waisale Serevi at a press conference for the 2019 Hong Kong Sevens as coach of the Russian sevens team. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Published: 1:00pm, 1 Jul 2020Updated: 9:13pm, 1 Jul 2020

Fijian legend Waisale Serevi is disappointed the Hong Kong Sevens – where he rose to fame as the greatest sevens player of all time – is cancelled but he expressed greater sadness for those whose lives have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Serevi is a two-time World Cup winner – both in Hong Kong – and is recognised as the best sevens player ever. He said the decision to halt the 2019-20 HSBC World Sevens Series was unavoidable and hoped all teams can regroup for the following season in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics.

“Let’s take time to think of the families and loved ones who have lost their lives in these challenging times,” Serevi told the Post. “And the people who have lost their sources of income. Let’s all stay strong and finish strong.

“It is the first time ever that the famous Hong Kong Sevens will not be played and I believe all the players and fans will be very disappointed, not only Hong Kong but London, Singapore and Paris as well.

Waisale Serevi conducts a coaching clinic during Singapore Sevens week in 2019. Photo: Handout

“It’s a challenging time for us and we cannot do anything else. To try to move those tournaments again would be too much for the players. I believe the best thing to do is to prepare for the 2020-21 season leading up to the Olympics in 2021.”

On Tuesday, World Rugby said it was halting the season for men and women because of the Covid-19 pandemic.