Taking to the streets: localists plan live broadcast of Olympic badminton match between Hong Kong and China – on Mong Kok pavement
Activity will be co-hosted by Hong Kong Indigenous, Hong Kong independence advocate Simon Sin and University of Science and Technology student group ProgressUST
Hong Kong is bracing for another potential flare-up in Mong Kok after last year’s riot as localists call for supporters to rally in the heart of the retail hub for a live broadcast of an Olympics badminton game between the local team and the mainland squad.
The localists are urging Hongkongers to “support” their team, despite questions about possible copyright infringement and fears that taking localism to such extremes by “politicising” the games could incite violence and cross-border animosity.
The event will be co-hosted by University of Science and Technology student group ProgressUST, Hong Kong independence advocate Simon Sin and Hong Kong Indigenous, the radical group accused of inciting the Mong Kok riot in February.
The ongoing Rio Olympicshave already sparked some debate on Hongkongers’ sense of identity in relation to mainland China, after some gloated over the disappointing performances of the national squad. Hongkongers have been generally keener to cheer for Chinese athletes in previous games.
The three organising groups will arrange an outdoor screening of the badminton mixed doubles game between China’s Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei and Hong Kong’s Chau Hoi-wah and Reginald Lee Chun-hei at 7pm today. Hong Kong badminton head coach Tim Ho Yiming and player Hu Yun used to be on the national squad.
The organisers said the live broadcast would be held on a relatively wide section of the pavement at the junction of Nathan Road and Soy Street, an area that was rocked by mob violence in February.
