Hong Kong ‘shines as Wimbledon of sevens’
City’s innovative tournament is role model for others to follow, says World Rugby chief as sponsor HSBC announces report into game
Hong Kong was on Friday described as the "Wimbledon" of rugby sevens as the governing body prepared to launch this season's World Series in Dubai and key sponsor HSBC announced the forthcoming publication of a major report charting the game's incredible growth and the challenges ahead.
Brett Gosper, chief executive of World Rugby, said the 2015-16 series was the most important in the sport's history, culminating in sevens' debut at the Olympics where success was fundamental to the game's global prospects.
Obviously, Hong Kong, without a doubt, is the pre-eminent tournament in the sevens series
He also praised Hong Kong's role in helping to popularise the sport, with the Hong Kong Sevens being the envy and role model for other tournaments around the world.
"Obviously, Hong Kong, without a doubt, is the pre-eminent tournament in the sevens series," said Gosper.
"For historic reasons, the Hong Kong Sevens is seen as the best and is the one we use to compare other tournaments.
"Hong Kong to us is the Wimbledon of sevens rugby. It's innovative and a great tournament. The players love going there, the fans love it, it has played a hugely important role in the past and will continue to do so in the future."
