Wuhan coronavirus: Lunar New Year Cup cancelled by government just hours after HKFA promotes the event
- Potential health risks too great, says Football Association chairman Pui Kwan-kay, as Hong Kong tightens monitoring of the virus
- Decision appears to be last minute as the Hong Kong Football Association said in the afternoon the event would go ahead as scheduled
Just hours after the Hong Kong Football Association announced more details of Sunday’s Lunar New Year Cup, the event was cancelled by the government because of growing threats of the Wuhan coronavirus in Hong Kong.
On Thursday night, Acting Chief Executive Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said several major upcoming events – including Cathay Pacific’s International Chinese New Year Carnival and football’s Lunar New Year Cup – would be cancelled as a health precaution.
It appeared to be a last-minute decision as the Hong Kong Football Association said in the afternoon that the event would be going ahead as scheduled. HKFA chairman Pui Kwan-kay said they were contacted by government late in the afternoon regarding the new arrangements.
“The government is concerned as many fans may attend the event on Sunday which may cause potential risk,” said Pui. “After deliberation we decided it would be better to call off the competition.
