Hong Kong hosting Saudi Super Cup shows deepening ties, football chief Fok says
Speaking at the official launch of next month's tournament – which, with Kai Tak Stadium unavailable, will be held at Hong Kong Stadium – Fok called it an 'opportunity to showcase our city's energy, hospitality and passion for football'.
It will mark the first time the Super Cup has been played in East Asia, with Hong Kong becoming only the second place it has been held outside Saudi Arabia, after London hosted it three times from 2015.
Discussions over staging the 12th edition had begun soon after the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) and their Saudi counterparts had signed a memorandum of understanding last November, Fok said.
Eric Fok, the HKFA chairman, speaks at Wednesday's launch. Photo: Elson Li
'For the HKFA and our team to improve, we need to connect internationally, learn from others, and this conversation came up when we were talking about collaborating,' the association's chairman said.
And while promoters Sum KM Sport appear to be relative novices when it comes to staging major events of any kind, Fok seemed confident that fans hoping to see Cristiano Ronaldo would not be disappointed.
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