‘Game-changing’ Kai Tak Sports Park ‘will attract mega live events’ to ‘unique’ Hong Kong
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Hong Kong’s “unique positioning”, coupled with the opening of Kai Tak Sports Park, “will attract mega live events” to the city, according to a leading figure in the sports marketing industry.
Samantha Chen, who is executive vice-president of partnerships and strategic development for Asia-Pacific (APAC) at CAA Sports, said Hong Kong boasted the infrastructure, location, security and glamour that every major sports event promoter covets.
Chen added, nonetheless, that the city’s government, citizens and small businesses all had to mobilise for Hong Kong to consistently lure stellar sports teams and individuals to its new marquee venue, which is set to open in early 2025.
Kai Tak is set to host its second test event on Saturday, when the 5,000-seat youth sports ground will welcome 3,000 fans to a rugby Test match between Hong Kong and Brazil.
Chen is based in her native Singapore, where, in her position with CAA Sports, she has negotiated sponsorship agreements worth more than US$140 million (HK$1.09 billion).
“It’s not only the government and Kai Tak that have to promote Hong Kong,” Chen told the Post. “Everyone has to work together to make sure mega live events come back over and over again. The city has to be sure promoters can make returns and drive economic impact and tourism receipts.
