Hongkongers lace up for annual football tournament as part of charity drive amid World Cup frenzy
- Total of 27 teams compete in series of matches at Happy Valley Recreation Ground
- Co-organised by Hong Kong Football Club and Operation Santa Claus, annual event has been held since 1998
As football fans around the world were swept up in World Cup frenzy, a group of children and adults in Hong Kong laced up their boots for a sports tournament that involved pitching in for charity.
About 200 players took part in a five-a-side football tournament co-organised by the Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) and Operation Santa Claus (OSC) at the Happy Valley Recreation Ground on November 27.
The annual event is among the fundraising activities of OSC, an annual charity drive run by the Post and public broadcaster RTHK since 1988.
Marking its 35th anniversary this year, OSC has raised HK$353 million (US$45 million) to support the Hong Kong community through 323 charitable projects since its launch. Fifteen projects are being funded in 2022.
The football tournament has been held since 1998.
“It’s one of the highlights of the Operation Santa Claus fundraising period,” said Jim Gould, RTHK’s head of the English programme service.
“The objective is to create a good, fun experience for all the teams, for everybody taking part, and to allow everybody to contribute and take part in a happy, healthy activity,” he added.
