'Kai Tak Sports Park targets need pragmatic revamp'

The one-and-a-half year old Kai Tak Sports Park requires a pragmatic overhaul of its decades-old performance targets, according to Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law. Despite being a top venue in Asia, the park's current success measurement of event days, established years ago, fails to account for practical realities, Law asserts.

Law highlighted that the park has significantly contributed to Hong Kong's economy, driving growth through major sporting events. The hosting of the National Games last year demonstrated Hong Kong's capability to host high-level competitions across various sports, such as badminton, volleyball, table tennis, fencing, and rugby sevens. However, Law pointed out that current performance indicators fail to consider the time and resources required for event preparation, maintenance, and upkeep.

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism emphasized the need for updated targets that account for these practical factors. She noted that while the park has delivered significant economic benefits, such as strong ticket sales, merchandise revenue, and increased tourist visits, there is still room for improvement.

Looking ahead, Law stated that Hong Kong will prioritize hosting top-tier single-sport World Championships over bidding for the Olympics in the short-to-medium term. She acknowledged that hosting the Olympics would be a national decision, given current resource constraints and sports development targets. Instead, the focus will be on achieving excellence in single-sport events, which she believes is a more important policy goal.

Beyond sports, Law emphasized the sports park's role in enhancing Hong Kong's ability to attract global superstar concerts. Since the park's opening, superstar acts have shown interest in performing in Hong Kong, leading to successful international events. Law believes more superstar acts will follow, further boosting the city's reputation and economy.