Oliver Lopez, a 19-year-old Hong Kong native studying in Australia, said his parents first took him to the stadium to watch the Sevens when he was just one year old.
“It’s nostalgic to watch the Sevens at the stadium,” said Lopez, who moved to Australia when he was 12. “The new place can hold more sports events and music concerts. Saying goodbye to something you’re familiar with your whole life is hard. But this place is too small and only has 40,000 seats. Whenever there is a major event, the nearby traffic is always chaotic.”
Zero Ling Ting-man, the 42-year-old vice-chairman of the Sha Tin Shapei Rugby Football Club, came with his teammates to watch the tournament one last time in the South Stand, where fans traditionally show off their creativity by dressing up in comical costumes.
The stand was packed on Sunday, with the attire ranging from floral shirts to classic Marvel superheroes, prisoner uniforms and outfits inspired by the Street Fighter video games. Some even braved the heat by wearing thick Teletubbies costumes and headpieces.
“The seats are almost full unlike last year and people are having a good time,” Ling said. “I can’t ask for more, just to enjoy the moment with all rugby lovers from around the world. The vibe here at Hong Kong Stadium is one of a kind.”
Wan Chai bar operators expect Kai Tak move next year to hit Sevens business
Wan Chai bar operators expect Kai Tak move next year to hit Sevens business
But Ling, who attended his first Sevens matches at the venue as a teenager, said he was not worried about the move to Kai Tak as it was all about the sport. But the government should do more to prepare for the event and the crowds, he said.
“As long as sports maintain their cohesion and continue to attract people from around the world, Hong Kong will be able to offer them the joy of enjoying sports. But the government only has a year to get everything ready, like the hotels, transportation networks and of course, bars and restaurants.”
Sam Yau Wai-yeung, a 35-year-old IT consultant attending the matches with his two boys aged six and four, expressed hope the government would make full use of the new venue in Kai Tak by hosting all types of events.
“Hong Kong Stadium has mainly been used for local football matches and rugby events. The new venue needs to be more diverse. Investing more in new infrastructure for various purposes is a good thing, but it cannot be a white elephant,” Yau said.
“That said, the government needs to focus on improving the facilities near the Kai Tak Sports Park within a year, including hotels, restaurants and traffic management, in order to accommodate the influx of rugby tourists next year.”
Rod Lerwell, 55, a businessman from South Wales in the United Kingdom who came to the city just to watch the three-day tournament, said he was not worried the Sevens vibes would diminish just because of a switch of venues.
“People come here for the rugby games. Hong Kong Stadium may be nostalgic to many, but rugby fans can build a new tradition and a new vibe,” Lerwell said.
Tarau Savou, a 17-year-old student from Fiji who had gone to the Hong Kong Sevens with her family and friends every year since she was 11, said she was sad the tournament was moving homes.
“Because we’re used to being here and we would always want to sit on the north side to support our team. I’m not sure. I haven’t seen the other place yet,” Savou said. “So I hope the vibes are still the same.”
Heidi Bach from Germany, who joined the celebrations with her eight-month-old daughter and her sister who lives in the city, said she had to experience the final match held in the Hong Kong Stadium.
“It was the second time for me and the first time for my baby. We plan to buy jerseys as souvenirs. It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to the stadium, but I’m also looking forward to it because change is a good thing,” the 36-year-old teacher said.
Move faster on elevated Kai Tak transit system, Hong Kong authorities urged
Move faster on elevated Kai Tak transit system, Hong Kong authorities urged
Jon Breach, 55, who works in the aviation industry in Dubai, said the Sevens was like a great melting pot with a lot of humanity and fun.
“I came to Hong Kong just for this. I have been to the Dubai Sevens and there’s always like a big party around it with all the grounds and concerts and loads of events going on as well,” Breach said. “If Hong Kong can make it like that, it sounds like an amazing deal.”
The first Sevens tournament was played in 1976 at the Hong Kong Football Club Stadium in Happy Valley. In 1982, the event moved to the then 28,000-seat Government Stadium, which in 1994 was expanded to what is now the Hong Kong Stadium.
The organisers put total attendance this year at 101,665.
