The 50th Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament opened at Kai Tak Stadium on Friday, with costumed spectators in high spirits despite gloomy weather. First-time visitors expressed amazement at the 50,000-seat venue, and last year's food shortage issues appeared resolved.
The 50th Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament kicked off at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium in Kai Tak Sports Park, with revellers entering the party-famous South Stand as early as 10.30am.
Among the early arrivals was Australian Tara McClintock, 25, visiting Hong Kong for the first time with seven friends dressed as “Average Joes” from the 2004 comedy Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. “This stadium is better than anything we have in Australia,” said McClintock. “It’s better than anything I’ve ever seen.”
Nearby, Jim Gaha and eight friends wore shirts featuring the face of his nephew, Australian men’s team captain Henry Hutchison, already in party mood before noon.
Despite an amber rainstorm warning, fans praised the new venue, and last year’s food shortage fiasco seemed addressed ahead of three days of rugby.