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Editorial
Hong Kong needs more facilities to ensure football for all
The Saudi Super Cup can be considered a success, but it should be possible to stage such events without disrupting training for local teams
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Editorials represent the views of the South China Morning Post on the issues of the day.
The appearance in Hong Kong of Cristiano Ronaldo, one of football’s greatest players, has thrilled fans and further boosted the city’s reputation as a host for the sport’s superstars. Ronaldo fever will reach a peak on Saturday evening, when his Al-Nassr team plays rivals Al-Ahli at Hong Kong Stadium in the Saudi Super Cup final.
The competition has built on the success of the Football Festival last month, which featured three leading English teams and one from Italy. A crowd of more than 30,000 created a vibrant atmosphere for Ronaldo’s semi-final. Such is his appeal, fans also sought glimpses of him at his hotel and on a surprise visit to the player’s newly opened museum. Restaurants near the stadium have enjoyed a surge in business.
Local teams, however, paid a price when their bookings for training sessions were cancelled at short notice by the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA), to accommodate the four Saudi clubs. Premier League men’s team Eastern had to move nine training sessions to a new venue just before the season started.
Kitchee’s women’s team, preparing for an Asian Champions League match, lost their booking at the Football Training Centre in Tseung Kwan O. Player Danielle Voss suggested this was either a result of incompetence or a lack of support for women’s football on the part of the governing body. The arrangements, especially communication between the HKFA and the clubs, should have been handled better. The Saudi clubs need somewhere to train, but the city’s hosting of the tournament was announced in June. There should not have been a need for late cancellations.
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