Hong Kong officials hail return of rugby Sevens as ‘resounding success’, as Australia defy the odds to secure last-gasp win
- Chief Executive John Lee calls the tournament ‘one of the most popular sporting events in Asia’ and ‘living proof’ Hong Kong has returned to the world stage
- Australia turn back years with historic win, unseating Fiji and winning for the first time in over three decades
Officials hailed the return of the rugby Sevens as “a resounding success” on Sunday, as the city’s leader joined tens of thousands of fans at a packed Hong Kong Stadium to watch Australia’s thrilling last-gasp win.
After more than three years away, the tournament lived up to its reputation as Hong Kong’s landmark sporting event, and the tears on the faces of the Australian players spoke volumes about what it meant to them.
Calling it “one of the most popular sporting events in Asia”, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the tournament was “living proof” that the city had returned to the world stage.
After hosting global financial leaders for a three-day summit before the Sevens, and with a series of other events on the horizon, including the Hong Kong Squash Open later this month, Lee said the city was “ushering in a new chapter”.
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“The Pearl of the Orient is shining brighter than ever,” he said in a social media post accompanied by a video clip he narrated.
