Fans Return For First HK Rugby Sevens In Years

Excited fans on Friday made a return to the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, with one saying the event shows the territory is on the up.

It's the first sevens tournament in Hong Kong after a three-year hiatus because of the pandemic.

Most fans who spoke to RTHK said they were excited to attend an international tournament.

"I'm very excited, because it means Hong Kong is back on the up, and we get to have more fun now," one said.

She added that it's a bit sad that there are fewer overseas spectators than usual and what makes the event special is that it provides a chance to meet people from around the world.

But organisers said fewer foreigners means more locals can enjoy the event.

Groups of schoolchildren said they had been given free tickets.

A 16-year-old student, Casey, was at the games for the first time. He said he was thankful for the experience.

"Things said about Hong Kong in the past three years have been pretty negative, so this is a good chance to make ourselves more positive...for everybody around the world to know more about what's happening in Hong Kong," he told RTHK.

Another student, Sean, said he planned to do a lot of cheering.

"It's like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It's something different, especially after all this Covid stuff, it's good to have events like this."

Spectators are required to use the LeaveHomeSafe app and vaccine pass for entry, and also have to show proof of a negative RAT result.

Meanwhile organisers said some 20,000 people were in the stadium by 5pm, including 6,000 schoolchildren.

The CEO of the Hong Kong Rugby Union, Robbie McRobbie, said according to his knowledge, nine spectators were turned away after displaying an amber code at the venue.

The amber code is given to people on arrival in Hong Kong and means they can't enter designated venues, including stadiums, during their three days of medical surveillance. A South African group had told media representatives that they'd been turned away.

"The stadium rules and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department rules about not being able to enter sports premises on an amber code is very clear," McRobbie said.

"At the same time, at the rugby union, we are still, broadly speaking, nice people. We are sympathetic. We have taken the details of those people and we will have a conversation with them after the event."