Hong Kong Sevens 2022: city’s flagship sporting event returns – day 1, as it happened
- First major sporting event Hong Kong has held since start of the pandemic looks to provide litmus test for the city going forward
- After three and a half years away, tournament kicked off on Friday afternoon at Hong Kong stadium with some thrilling action
The Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens returned on Friday, after three and a half years away.
The first major sporting event Hong Kong has held since the start of the pandemic will look to provide a litmus test for the city going forward.
There was relief – and nerves – in equal measure, with a heavy police presence watching on in So Kon Po as fans filed into Hong Kong Stadium on Friday afternoon.
Around 30,000 people were expected to watch the day’s action, with the venue limited to 35,000 capacity because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Fans were also required to wear masks when not eating or drinking, and to sit in groups no larger than 12, with officials and staff members walking through the stands and concourses enforcing the rules.
There were eight matches in total on day 1, with Samoa causing the biggest shock against New Zealand, though Hong Kong were hopelessly outmatched against Australia.
Reporting by Matt Eaton, Nicolas Atkin, Harvey Kong, Rachel Yeo, Tom Bell, and Mathew Scott.
