Asian Games gold ‘crucial for expansion of rugby in Hong Kong’
Success in Incheon likely to encourage more local Chinese to play, says new HKRFU chairman
Winning a gold medal at the Incheon Asian Games is crucial if rugby is to fully break into the local community, says Hong Kong Rugby Football Union chairman Pieter Schats.
"It is essential we win a gold medal at the Asian Games, for nothing attracts attention like success," said Schats, who has also targeted more Chinese players representing Hong Kong and playing in the Premiership.
"And winning a gold medal is bound to make the local community sit up and take notice of us."
It hasn’t permeated into Hong Kong society and we must do more to promote the game
The men's team are one of the favourites to win the rugby sevens competition from September 30 to October 2 in South Korea.
"Not only is winning a gold crucial to our attempts to push the game locally, but it is also crucial for our programme at the Hong Kong Sports Institute," said Schats.
"We are possibly the only team sport going to the Asian Games with a realistic chance of winning a gold medal and I hope we can come back with one."
Schats, who took over from Trevor Gregory as chairman of the HKRFU last month, has put emphasis on pushing the game to the local Chinese community.