Editorial | Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park off to a winning start
A trial football match between two local teams may have scored with fans and authorities, but bigger challenges lie ahead
The new HK$30 billion (US$3.9 billion) Kai Tak Sports Park was put through its paces with a football match on Sunday.
By most measures its first trial run was a success, allowing authorities to breathe a sigh of relief.
Within 10 minutes of the final whistle for the match between Sai Kung and Wong Tai Sin, some 1,500 spectators had dispersed from the 5,000-seat Youth Sports Ground near the main stadium.
Still, it is far too early to celebrate, and much more work lies ahead. Fans seemed satisfied with transport arrangements and the quality of the pitch. Drinks and snacks were cheaper than at Hong Kong Stadium, though some grumbled drinks were not cheap enough. Others complained of insect bites.
Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said 300 signs and 300 staff were deployed for the trial, which aimed to test crowd management, transport, security checks and ticket validation.
He said spectators had left the stadium within about 10 minutes and reached the Sung Wong Toi MTR station in just a few minutes.
