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. “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. New coronavirus cases continue to surge in many countries and travel restrictions make it difficult for fans to travel to the four remaining men’s tournaments in London, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong and the women’s events in Langford, Paris and Hong Kong. New Zealand were declared champions for men and women. HKRU says they will survive 2020 Hong Kong Sevens cancellation Serevi, who last season was coaching the Russian national sevens team, is living in the United States where he is active in promoting rugby. Recently, Serevi launched a touch rugby programme for young Pacific Islanders in Mountlake Terrace north of Seattle, Washington. It was Serevi’s way of helping to keep youngsters off the streets in a testing time for the youth of America with the Covid-19 pandemic and violent protests threatening to tear down society. “In these tough times in the USA, when people are protesting and there is a lot of pointing of fingers, I was just happy to bring youths together, in my area Mountlake Terrace,” said Serevi. Ryan and Friday back decision to can Hong Kong Sevens and World Series “We want to use sports and rugby to get them away from the negative things that are happening. Some play basketball, some are wrestlers, they play soccer, lacrosse and other sports. “They want to try rugby and they all fell in love with the sport. I love our new programme,” he said.