‘High expectations’: tourists, families flock to Hong Kong Stadium for rugby Sevens
[ad_1]
She was on her first visit to the city as a part of a business trip, which coincided with the Sevens.
“It’s so exciting, especially seeing other cultures. It’s really humbling to be a part of this occasion,” Kaitani said.
The 27-year-old added that she came to support her home country and the South African team.
According to the organiser, 40 per cent of all tickets were bought by visitors this year, with the 40,000-seat stadium a sell-out for the three-day tournament.
Quentin Hillbrand and Francisco Sanchez flew in from Tokyo to watch the games with their Hong Kong friend.
Dressed as the mascot of the Argentinian team, Sanchez had high hopes for the rugby matches and party atmosphere over the next two days.
“It’s just the start. It’s quiet now, but I have high expectations,” Sanchez said, adding that his costumes would also ramp up as the games go on.
“I want to see everything [at the Sevens],” Hillbrand added.
Hong Kong Sevens 2024: party starts as rugby fans arrive from around the world
Hong Kong Sevens 2024: party starts as rugby fans arrive from around the world
Jaden Yeung and Myra Leung, both 12, were among the early arrivals after playing their youth showcase matches in the morning.
Yeung, Sevens second-timer, said he was enjoying the game booths right outside the spectator stands.
“It’s prettier this year and a lot more fun with the stalls, but the KFC shop has closed,” he said as he showed off a tattoo sticker he won.
Cathay Pacific and HSBC, both title sponsors of the event, have organised game booths at the stadium, drawing in long queues of children throughout the day.
Leung, who had watched the Sevens four times, said that it was a pity the legendary South Stand would remain a mystery to her as the games were set to move to Kai Tak Sports Park next year, after having been held at Hong Kong Stadium since 1982. The South Stand is a traditionally rowdy spot at the Sevens.
“You can only go inside once you’re 18. I’m still six years away. It’s too bad that I cannot go in [before the move],” Leung said.
Allison Fung, Leung’s mother and a parent-coach to the two youngsters’ rugby team, said the children would usually enjoy the game booths and watch the adult matches after their junior games in the morning.
The Canadian and Japanese women’s teams kicked off the tournament at 10.30am on Friday, with the heavyweight men’s duo of France and Australia rounding up the day at 8.56pm.
Hong Kong Stadium simmered in occasional cheers in the morning, before erupting in shouts and applause in the afternoon as the venue became half-filled.
Food and drinks sales were also in full swing as the air smelled of beer with spectators clutching jugfuls of the drink back to their seats.
Sunny Rekhani, one of the managing directors and owners of Ebenezer’s Kebabs and Pizzeria, said that he expected a 20 to 25 per cent jump in sales at the Sevens this year.
“People are buying more, with our experience so far, the total sales is going to increase by 20 to 25 per cent from last year,” Rekhani said, adding sales on Friday afternoon had been encouraging.
His business partner and brother Anil Rekhani added that they noticed more foreigners among the crowd on Friday.
Sunny said he had also hired 10 more staff members to man the Hong Kong Stadium stall than last year, expecting his business to become even busier on the weekend.
Between matches, some players were seen signing autographs and giving high-fives to spectators near the pitch after finishing their matches.
Hong Kong Sevens: series of subplots, as city gets ready for farewell party
Hong Kong Sevens: series of subplots, as city gets ready for farewell party
A group of 11-year-old boys seated at the front row said they managed to get autographs from Argentina and South Africa players, as well as take pictures with some of them.
“It’s cool. He is one of my favourite players,” Ryan Cheuk, who got an autograph from an Argentinian player, said.
“I thought he’d just walk by,” the Sevens fifth-timer added.
On Saturday, fans can enter the stadium from 7am, ahead of a 9.30am start, and from 8am on Sunday before the first match at 9.40am.
New Zealand are the defending champions in both the men’s and women’s events.
Hong Kong’s women and men both will play China on the opening day at 6.22pm and 7.24pm, respectively, in a new Melrose Claymores competition that is running as part of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.
[ad_2]
Source_link
Post Publications || Join us on Whatsapp || Post Disclaimer
SEND A STORY: Do you have a story for us or need a promotion/advertisement? Submit them via our email admin@edulearnweb or Ghanaeducation.org
TELEGRAM PAGE >>> [JOIN]
DOWNLOAD OUR EDUCATION NEWS APP - MOBILE APP
JOIN OUR EDUCATION NEW GROUPS (WHATSAPP)
Join one of our Whatsapp/Telegram Groups for current Ghana Education Service News Updates:
JOIN ONLY ONE... THANKS
TELEGRAM PAGE >>> [JOIN]
Group 1 >>New Group> [JOIN]
Group 2 >>New Group> [JOIN]
TELEGRAM PAGE >>> [JOIN]
Only websites that give us a URL backlink can repost our content on their sites.
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by edulearnweb.com and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
||About Us|| Contact Us