History made at Hong Kong Sevens' shiny new Kai Tak home but questions remain
New Zealand and Argentina
made history as the first Cathay/HSBC
Hong Kong Sevens of the Kai Tak Stadium era came to a close on Sunday, with a mixture of nostalgia, a look to the future and continuing questions over the present.
Advertisement
For those of a certain vintage, the fly-past by a Cathay Pacific A350 evoked memories of a time when planes, rather than rugby balls, were landing where players now raced around.
And while the HSBC SVNS Series has an uncertain future, Hong Kong only reinforced its place in the sport, even if the operators of its 'amazing, incredible, outstanding' new home face an uncomfortable few days.
There was history, too, with New Zealand's women completing another dominant run to their third consecutive title with a 26-19 win over Australia, and Argentina claiming a first crown in the city by beating France 12-7.
Hong Kong leader John Lee presents the Sevens trophy to Argentina's captain, Santiago Mare. Photo: Handout
Black Ferns skipper Sarah Hirini said she hoped her team would be back to a 'bigger and better' Sevens next year, although what that might look like is open to debate.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong Jockey Club donates HK$450 million to support National Games in city
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is contributing HK$450 million (US$57.7 million) to the city to support its co-hosting of the 15th National Games in November and two related events, marking the single largest donation for the competitions. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said on Thursday that the donation would inject powerful energy into the city's preparations for the events, referring to the National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games. 'The Hong Kong Jockey Club's sponsorship will primarily be used for volunteer service programmes, citywide community and school promotion activities and arranging viewing experiences for underprivileged groups and youth,' she said during a signing ceremony to announce the donation with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. Other dignitaries at the ceremony included Jockey Club chairman Michael Lee Tze-hau and Zhang Zhihua, deputy director general of the coordination department for Hong Kong and Macau affairs of the National Games organising committee. 'Hosting the 15th National Games and Paralympic Games is a crucial task for Hong Kong this year. We have been working closely with Guangdong and Macau, leveraging this opportunity to deepen sports exchange and integrated development within the Greater Bay Area,' Law said. The National Games, which are being jointly hosted for the first time by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, will be held from November 9 to 21.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Earthquake rescuers, Kai Tak Sports Park team win Hong Kong award for civil servants
Hong Kong rescuers sent to earthquake-stricken Myanmar and an interdepartmental preparation team that handled the opening of the city's largest sports facility will receive a high-level award that recognises civil servants for meritorious work, according to the chief executive. Announcing the results of the Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance on Tuesday, city leader John Lee Ka-chiu said the two teams had reflected the outstanding capabilities of civil servants and government efficiency. The 51-strong rescue team and two search dogs were sent to Myanmar in March after the magnitude 7.7 quake that devastated parts of the Southeast Asian nation. The earthquake led to over 3,600 deaths in the country. The team conducted a total of 61 search and rescue operations at 57 locations in the disaster area, and successfully rescued survivors who had been trapped for more than 125 hours in a joint operation with the national rescue team, Lee said. He also noted that members had faced a severe environment in the affected areas, including aftershocks, traffic and communication interruptions, high temperatures of over 40 degrees for days, and severe mosquito infestations. '[The rescue team] fully demonstrates tenacity, professional ability and team spirit,' Lee said.
South China Morning Post
12-06-2025
- South China Morning Post
2025 events at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Sports Park, from National Games to Football Festival
Hong Kong's Kai Tak Sports Park has been notching up firsts since its main stadium was officially opened in March, and the milestones are set to continue during 2025. More than 42,000 spectators shared the euphoria of watching the city's footballers beat India at Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday, in the first outing at the venue by the Hong Kong representative team. The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens was staged at the stadium for the first time in late March, by which time the HK$30 billion (US$3.9 billion) park had already hosted international 15-a-side rugby at its 5,000-seat sports ground. An aerial view of Hong Kong's new Kai Tak Stadium, which opened in March. Photo: Reuters Elite-level snooker came to the indoor Kai Tak Arena, which can hold up to 10,000 people, for March's World Grand Prix. Here is a selection of what is still to come this year. National Games of China Hong Kong will co-host the 15th National Games with Guangdong and Macau from November 9 to 21, with three of its seven medal events – rugby sevens, fencing and men's handball – to be held at Kai Tak. The sevens will be held at the 50,000-capacity Kai Tak Stadium from November 12 to 14, after handball takes over Kai Tak Arena from November 1 to 10.
