Hong Kong needs more than Kai Tak venue to realise mega-event dreams

South China Morning Post

a day ago

The opening of
Kai Tak Sports Park has given a substantial boost to the city's bid to become a leading centre for hosting top international events. Hundreds of thousands of spectators have flocked to the venue in the last four months to enjoy an impressive selection of performances. But the impact of the new complex, with its 50,000-seat stadium and indoor arena, on other venues must be considered. There is a need to adapt.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has revealed there will be
a repositioning of locations it manages and a shake-up of booking arrangements. Hong Kong Coliseum, in Hung Hom, is famous for Cantopop concerts, but sports events made up more than a fifth of successful applications to hire it last year. The venue is set to host a basketball competition in the National Games in November and an international table tennis tournament in December.
In future, priority will be
given to concerts rather than sport, giving the 12,500-seat location a clearer identity. The move should open up much-needed slots for local performers, who struggle to book it. Only 37 applications out of 220 last year were granted, and there have been
complaints pop stars have repeatedly been rejected.
Sha Tin Town Hall will, under the plans, focus on Cantonese opera, providing welcome new opportunities for professional troupes. Fans are still reeling from the closure of the much-loved
Sunbeam Theatre , even though it has found a new location. Efforts to promote and develop Cantonese opera must continue.
The East Kowloon Cultural Centre in Kowloon Bay, set to fully open by the end of the year, will feature long-running performances and art technology, broadening the city's entertainment scene.
It makes sense to differentiate between venues, adjusting to the Kai Tak era. But the booking process must be accessible, transparent and fair, with clear criteria.