Opinion | Legends’ insight on power of sport to change lives shows Hong Kong Sevens is not just a drunken party

Usually we find the SCMP.com commenters to be more enlightened and articulate than some of the mouth-breathers other lesser publications attract.

So it was surprising to read some of the borderline racist remarks on our Sevens build-up coverage this week. Apparently the event is nothing more than an excuse for drunken gweilos to move their standard raping and pillaging from Wan Chai to Hong Kong Stadium.

As anyone who’s actually been to the event knows, that’s not entirely true. Yes, the South Stand can be a cross between Caligula’s 21st birthday party and a stag do in ninth-century Norway, but most of the rest of the stadium is actually interested in the rugby, catching up with old friends, and yes, perhaps getting a bit merry along the way.

Anyone watching the hundreds of mini rugby kids – from all sections of the community – loving their day out at the stadium can see the impact of the Hong Kong Rugby Union’s efforts to spread the game out of its traditional expat strongholds.

And the event funds some terrific programmes using the power of sport to help society. Incoming new HKRU chief executive Robbie McRobbie, a former police officer, has long pushed such initiatives, and has been a key player in Operation Breakthrough, the charity that helps give troubled kids structure and discipline in their lives through sport.

The union’s Community Foundation held a fascinating event on the Value of Sport the day before this year’s shindig kicked off, with a host of sporting legends involved.