Hong Kong Sevens hot takes: the lessons learned from on the pitch and in the stands this year
From Fiji’s four-in-a-row to Smash Mouth sucking the life out of the South Stand, we’ve seen it all at the 2018 tournament
Our reporters have been on the ground at Hong Kong Stadium. Here are their takeaways from an action-packed 72 hours:
Nazvi Careem: Kenya coach Innocent Simiyu was asked what made the Hong Kong Sevens special. His eyes lit up, he opened his mouth but the words wouldn’t come out. He need not have put it into words. His eyes said everything, the disappointment of defeat erased by the knowledge he was somewhere hallowed. There should never have been any doubt. The Hong Kong Sevens has been special during its formative years when teams sent a mix of big names and rising stars, it was special when each team fielded their best players and it was special over the weekend even with some of the top sides fielding second-string players because of the Commonwealth Games. The crowd was loyal to the Sevens’ atmosphere and Fiji were loyal to their second home in So Kon Po. That’s essentially the two main ingredients for the best sevens tournament in the world. And not many cities can match that.
Jonathan White: The best thing about the Sevens is also the most damning of sport in the city. Nearly 40,000 people eagerly pour through the doors of Hong Kong Stadium for each day of the tournament but that’s a number that every other sport can only dream of. Admittedly, a large portion are visitors from overseas but still the turnout among residents dwarfs every other local sport. Barely 20,000 turned up to see Leo Messi and Argentina celebrate the HKFA centenary in 2014 and Kitchee managed 13,000 for their home AFC Champions League bow this year. Only the Premier League Asia Trophy has the draw of the Sevens and it’s going to be even more of a contrast when the Sevens moves to Kai Tak Sports Park and a 50,000 capacity stadium. That’s not to denigrate what is the biggest sporting weekend in the city, but it is a shame. What’s the answer? There are other problems surrounding attendances for other sports but maybe letting everyone have a pint in the stands would be a start. After all, no one’s here for the rugby.
