Reopening of renovated South China Stadium paves way for return to Hong Kong Premier League
- Multimillion dollar redevelopment project boasts 1,000-seat capacity venue, with Fifa-approved artificial pitch which can also be used for rugby
- South China pulled out of top-flight football in 2017 but senior official says club will consider return when the time is right
The reopening of South China Stadium could pave the way for the local football giants to return to the top-tier Premier League – but there is no time line yet for a move up from the Hong Kong First Division.
A multimillion redevelopment project to renovate the stadium, which was built on Caroline Road in 1950, was launched in 2012. With HK$170 million in financial support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the project was finally completed this year after a total expenditure close to HK$400 million.
The new stadium now accommodates 1,000 spectators, with all seats covered, and has a Fifa-approved artificial pitch which can also be used for rugby. The stadium also has a covered tennis court and a sand court for beach volleyball, with a rooftop circular jogging track and a refurbished golf driving range.
It was initially planned for the project to be completed in 2016, but a South China official said the club could do little to prevent the five-year delay.
“Most of the construction projects in Hong Kong are out of the control of the owner,” said Andy Lo Yun-sum, vice-chairman of South China Athletic Association (SCAA) and vice convenor of the SCAA HKJC Funding Project Management Committee.
“Even a tree or some other things can delay the project for two years, for example. A lot of time was spent on the planning before we could actually start the construction.
