Paris Olympics: Hong Kong to stage 3x3 basketball qualifying tournament after organiser’s U-turn
- M1 Group reportedly change mind on staging tournament in April after previously saying estimated HK$20 million cost was too high
- Event in Hong Kong first of three next year ahead of Games in France, with Japan and Hungary also hosting
Hong Kong officials have reportedly changed their minds again about hosting a 3x3 basketball Olympic qualifying tournament, and are expected to stage the event in April.
But while world governing body Fiba said they expected to be back in the Spring, M1 Group CEO Kenny Wong declined to answer any questions, and Hong Kong basketball official Norman Chan Shui-tim said he had not been told anything about it.
The three-a-side version of the sport has not proved as popular as hoped in the city, with previous tournaments at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay sparsely attended on occasion.
Then there is the reported cost, with officials quoting US$2.55 million (HK$20 million), although a source said Hong Kong had secured the rights to host the first of three qualifying events for the Paris Olympics at a “discounted” price.
“It was at least US$1million for the license fee [from Fiba] alone, excluding any other cost,” the source said.
