50,000 Hong Kong civil servants to join Kai Tak stadium test run early next year

Security chief Chris Tang says about 20 drills to be conducted at wider Kai Tak Sports Park before it opens in March of next year

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Authorities held a stress test at Kai Tak Sports Park earlier this month. Photo: Edmond So

Published: 6:17pm, 30 Nov 2024Updated: 7:48pm, 30 Nov 2024

Hong Kong will deploy 50,000 civil servants to join a test run at Kai Tak Sports Park’s mega stadium early next year, the city’s security chief said, adding artificial intelligence (AI) will play a role in preparations ahead of the facility’s opening.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung on Saturday said about 20 drills would be conducted at the park before it opened in March of next year.

“We have taken reference from when other large-scale infrastructure, such as the airport, was first completed. We understand that people may not be familiar with the new facilities and some transitional problems may emerge,” he said.

“Thus, we hope to be more prepared, including conducting more trial runs … We will have 50,000 civil servants joining a trial run.”

He added that the main stadium test run involving the 50,000 government employees was expected to take place early next year.

In addition to the 50,000-seat main stadium, the larger park includes an indoor sports centre and a public sports ground, among other facilities. The price tag for the entire project stands at about HK$30 billion (US$3.8 billion).