Latest news with #KaiTakSportsPark
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong netball chiefs say Kai Tak Sports Park could aid World Cup bid
Hong Kong's top netball officials said securing the Asian Championships next summer could prove a springboard to qualifying for the next World Cup. Advertisement The regional championships, expected to be held in August next year, double as the qualifying event for the 2027 World Cup, with the top two teams reaching the finals, held in Sydney. Hong Kong's netball chief said the organisation had long wanted to host the next Asian Championships and it was only following the opening of Kai Tak Sports Park that the opportunity presented itself. 'Our goal has always been to host a World Cup qualifying event but suitable facilities have posed a significant challenge,' Connie Wong Ar-yan, president of Netball Hong Kong, China, said. 'KTSP provides the necessary space and infrastructure for an international event. 'Qualifying for the World Cup has been a long-held dream of ours, especially with netball's potential inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. This proximity to the Olympics makes our World Cup qualification even more crucial.' Hong Kong will host the netball Asian Championships at Kai Tak Sports Park next year. Photo: Yik Yeung-man Hong Kong have competed in five World Cups with their last appearance coming 2003 in Kingston, Jamaica. They have failed to surpass their 13th-place finish achieved in their debut campaign in Singapore in 1983.
South China Morning Post
31-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Greenpeace urge Hong Kong's Kai Tak Sports Park to improve sustainability
The three-day Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament generated about 860,000 disposable items after spectators were banned from bringing their own reusable containers, according to Greenpeace. Advertisement It left the green group, on Monday, once again urging Kai Tak Sports Park to reinstall a reusable cup system that had been in place for the annual tournament in 2019, 2023 and 2024 before it was scrapped this year, for its long-term sustainability development. The group said the operator should kick-start the system as soon as possible, with the newly open stadium expected to host at least 40 more large-scale events a year. 'Otherwise, the more mega-events the park hosts, the bigger the snowball will be. More and more disposable tableware would be produced [after each event], and that would fundamentally violate the park's goal in sustainability,' Greenpeace campaigner Leanne Tam Wing-lam said. Lam said the group learnt that the sport's governing body Hong Kong China Rugby tried to negotiate with the park to bring back the initiative this year, but to no avail. Advertisement Jamie Farndale, Hong Kong China Rugby's general manager of club development and sustainability told the Post on Monday that green cups 'could indeed become a viable option' for the park when it became more established and had gained insights into event frequency and cup reuse. 'However, given that this was the first event and Kai Tak's primary focus was on getting operations under way, we strongly encouraged them to utilise fully compostable packaging, ensuring that organic material was collected and processed correctly through their on-site composter,' Farndale said.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hong Kong Stadium's Debut Marred by Food Chaos at Rugby Sevens
(Bloomberg) -- Tens of thousands of partying rugby fans from around the world tested Hong Kong's new 50,000-seat stadium over the weekend, and there was one common topic of conversation: how the catering failed to keep up with demand. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Despite no shortage of outlets, service was slow, lines were long and in many areas hot meals repeatedly ran out over the course of the three-day Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. Frustration was evident among fans as they wandered from floor to floor seeking food, which included burgers, tandoori chicken wraps and char siu sausage rolls. On Saturday, fans in the South Stand — the most raucous side of the stadium — waited over an hour to order drinks at a beer stand, which appeared to have only one credit card reader. In an outdoor stall at Sunday lunch time, a scribbled list of four dishes replaced the official menu on display. At another outlet, staff dressed in gray uniforms lined up to place orders that had been made by guests in corporate boxes. The chaos blemished an otherwise celebratory occasion. Kai Tak Stadium is the centerpiece of a HK$32 billion ($4.1 billion) sports park developed on the site of the city's former airport. The stadium has been specifically designed by global architect firm Populous for the Sevens, the city's biggest annual sporting event, and is a key part of Hong Kong leader John Lee's tourism push. The tournament was previously held at a smaller stadium on Hong Kong Island. Some 110,000 fans attended the games over the three days, according to World Rugby Chairman Brett Robinson. Advertisement The stadium has taken on greater political importance as Hong Kong looks to repair its international image and economy in the years following a crackdown on dissent, pandemic restrictions and China's economic slowdown. It's also a chance for redemption for the government after a series of event mishaps — football legend Lionel Messi caused embarrassment when he failed to play in a much-hyped game last year, and stars such as Taylor Swift have bypassed the city in their Asian tours. The stadium is operated by Kai Tak Sports Park, which is majority-owned by Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd., the biggest listed arm of billionaire Henry Cheng's business empire. Kai Tak Sports Park didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Even the city's top bureaucrat responsible for sports was caught out by the food shortages. 'I also had to wait in line for some time when buying a hamburger yesterday, so I told the venue operators to enhance their food supply services,' Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law told reporters on Sunday while touring the stadium. Advertisement Despite the catering issues, the event mostly ran smoothly — although organizers on Saturday closed off entry to the South Stand after frustrated fans lining up for entry tried to force their way in. Argentina triumphed in the men's competition, beating Olympic champions France with a 12-7 win, while in the women's finals New Zealand defeated Australia 26-19. The tournament, which included performances by DJ Pete Tong and English band Kaiser Chiefs, was capped by a fireworks display. The stadium's capabilities will be tested again soon, as Coldplay are set to perform four sold-out shows this week. The park will also co-host China's National Games later this year. Hong Kong's leader Lee, who attended the Sevens with his wife on Sunday, said the games went well. 'The first major tournament at the Kai Tak Stadium has successfully 'scored a try,'' Lee wrote on social media, referring to the rugby equivalent of a goal. Advertisement --With assistance from Will Davies. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Zawya
26-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Coca-Cola in Hong Kong become Founding Partner of Kai Tak Sports Park
Bringing People Together and Elevating Refreshing Moments in Hong Kong's Home Venue HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 26 March 2025 - Coca-Cola in Hong Kong, represented by The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partner Swire Coca-Cola in the city, is delighted to announce their strategic partnership with Hong Kong's largest integrated sports and entertainment landmark, Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP), as one of its Founding Partners. The partnership reinforces Coca-Cola brands as the beverage of choice for every occasion, and underscores Coca-Cola's commitment to local communities by continuing to foster shared moments and celebrate incredible connections – most ideally accompanied by refreshing ice-cold Coca-Cola – as well as by supporting Hong Kong's vibrant mega-event economy. As a global leader in the beverage industry, Coca-Cola in Hong Kong is committed to creating refreshing and memorable moments with its full beverage portfolio at KTSP, while supporting the Park in Raising the Game to deliver world-class sport, cultural and entertainment experiences to a global audience. A Collaboration to Elevate Beverage Experiences at KTSP "Kai Tak Sports Park is set to become a landmark destination for sportainment in Hong Kong, and as a leading beverage company, we are honored to be part of this once-in-a-generation establishment," commented Karlijn in t Veld, Vice President, Franchise Operations, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau & Mongolia, The Coca-Cola Company. "We have been crafting strong and loved brands that create hundreds of thousands of refreshing moments every day for Hong Kong. As the city rises to become 'Asia's Events Capital', we, building on our legacy and strength, look forward to creating magical moments and incredible experiences for millions of visitors to Kai Tak Sports Park, while promoting sports, entertainment, tourism, and hospitality in the city." "At Swire Coca-Cola, we are proud to work hand in hand with The Coca-Cola Company to bring an exciting range of beverages to our community," said Richard Gould, General Manager, Swire Coca-Cola HK. "Our dedicated team is passionate about creating refreshing and memorable experiences for all visitors to Kai Tak Sports Park – by providing the perfect drink for every moment." A Proud Founding Partner As a Founding Partner of KTSP, Coca-Cola will enhance every visit with refreshing beverages, exciting experiences, and sustainable initiatives: Partnership in Action: Coca-Cola in Hong Kong is honored to provide the global audience of Kai Tak Sports Park with its optimized portfolio of beverages, including sparkling beverages (Coca-Cola®, Sprite®, Fanta®, Schweppes®), unsweetened tea (Authentic Tea House®), sweetened tea (Kochakaden® CRAFTEA®), water (bonaqua®), sports (Aquarius®) and energy (MONSTER®) drinks, and other categories. This ensures that every sip at KTSP delivers unmatched quality and refreshment. Your Favorite Drinks, Always Within Reach: Whether you are cheering in the Main Stadium or exploring the Park, Coca-Cola ensures that your favorite drinks will always be available. With hundreds of coolers, fountain dispensers, and full-service vending units, it will be easy and convenient to grab an ice-cold Coca-Cola product at various concessions within the precinct or whilst enjoying an exciting show or a Hong Kong Sevens match. Coca-Cola Fully Integrated into KTSP: As a Founding Partner of Kai Tai Sports Park, Coca-Cola ensures a strong and visible presence throughout the venue. From main gates "presented by Coca-Cola" to physical signage, digital advertising airtime and online advertising, the brand is integrated seamlessly into the Park's experience. The Park also grants Coca-Cola activation rights, exclusive access to designated areas and hospitality benefits. Through these sponsorship elements, Coca-Cola remains a prominent part of the Park's atmosphere, offering visitors easy access to its diverse beverage portfolio while enhancing their overall experience. A Greener Way to Refresh Coca-Cola is committed to creating a more sustainable and better shared future. "Great partnerships go beyond business – they create meaningful community impact. As we bring refreshing beverages to KTSP and inject excitement into the various activities in the Park, we are also committed to a greener Hong Kong. Together, we will drive progress in waste management, people empowerment and community engagement," Karlijn enthused. A Partnership for the Community "We are delighted to welcome Coca-Cola in Hong Kong as a Founding Partner," said John Sharkey, Chief Executive Officer at Kai Tak Sports Park. "This partnership aligns with our vision to be an iconic, world-class venue that brings together people from around the world to create magical moments, by delivering exhilarating and memorable sports, entertainment, and cultural experiences. KTSP is also a hub for our local community's enjoyment and Coca-Cola's commitment to uplifting visitors and supporting sustainability initiatives makes them an ideal partner to KTSP's journey of inspiring visitors to enjoy and explore. There's truly something for everyone." As part of its longstanding commitment to Hong Kong's sports scene, Coca-Cola has extended its enduring collaboration with HK China Rugby (HKCR), building on 20 years of successful partnership as a trusted 'Tournament Partner' and exclusive non-alcoholic ready-to-drink (NARTD) beverage supplier of the Hong Kong Sevens, which will inaugurate its iconic event at its new home in Kai Tak Sports Park later this month, from March 28 to #CocaCola The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About The Coca-Cola Company The Coca-Cola Company is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries. In Hong Kong, the company has a portfolio covering sparkling, sweetened and unsweetened tea, juice, sports drink, water, enhanced hydration beverages, etc. We have 12 brands offering 70 different variants such as "Coca-Cola", "Coca-Cola No Sugar", "Coke Plus", "Sprite", "Fanta", "Schweppes", "Bonaqua" Mineralized Water, "Authentic Tea House", "Minute Maid", "Minute Maid Qoo", "Yeung Gwong", "Aquarius", "Healthworks", "Kochakaden" "CRAFTEA" and "OOHA". We are constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. Learn more about us on Coca-Cola's Facebook and Instagram. About Swire Coca-Cola HK (SCCHK) Swire Coca-Cola HK (SCCHK) has proudly served the Hong Kong community as the authorized bottler and distributor of The Coca-Cola Company since 1965, making us the leading non-alcoholic beverage manufacturer locally. In 1991, we established the world's tallest bottling plant in Shatin, which rises 147 meters high and encompasses over 70,000 square meters of floor space across 18 floors. We are dedicated to refreshing the people of Hong Kong with a diverse selection of beverage choices, offering approximately 20 brands and over 80 products to a population of 7.5 million. About Kai Tak Sports Park Kai Tak Sports Park is a fully integrated sports, leisure and entertainment destination. The 28-hectare Sports Park will be part of the redevelopment on the site of the old Hong Kong International Airport in Kai Tak. The Sports Park features a 50,000-seat Main Stadium (named Kai Tak Stadium) with a retractable roof, Indoor Sport Centre (named Kai Tak Arena) with the flexibility to host community sports and events of up to 10,000 seats, and a Public Sports Ground (named Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground) with a capacity of 5,000 seats. These venues will be complemented with extensive public open spaces for events and leisure together with retail and harbour front dining spaces. The Coca-Cola Company
Associated Press
03-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Engineering marvel unveiled: Kai Tak Sports Park sets new standards in design and innovation
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 3 March 2025 - Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) officially opened on 1 March 2025 as the largest integrated sports and entertainment complex in Hong Kong, setting a new benchmark in design innovation and engineering excellence. With Arup as the engineering consultant, KTSP is designed to cater to the city's unique urban environment and its vibrant community, providing an unparalleled experience for visitors and spectators alike. 'Kai Tak Sports Park is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of design, innovation, and sustainability. We're immensely proud to help realise this new icon for Hong Kong, which will promote community sports and support the hosting of international events in our city.' - Michael Kwok, East Asia Region Chair, Arup A venue like no other Central to the park is the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium, dubbed as the 'Pearl of the Orient'. Designed to address Hong Kong's humid sub-tropical climate, the stadium features one of the world's largest retractable roofs and a flexible pitch surface, allowing the venue to host a variety of events in any weather. The retractable roof, weighing nearly 4,800 tonnes, operates quietly and can open or close in just 30 minutes using advanced mechanisms similar to railway technology. To support this massive roof, Arup engineered a bespoke structure with four mega trusses spanning between 150m to 180m, anchoring on four bearing-free reinforced concrete towers at the corners to ensure an unobstructed view for every spectator. Building information modelling (BIM) was fully adopted to optimise the structural design, ensuring constructability and minimising steel use. Given the stadium's proximity to residential areas, the retractable roof is acoustically sealed when closed, using sound-proof barriers and heavy cladding panels to dampen low-frequency sound, making the stadium one of the most efficient soundproofing sports facilities in the world. Spectator experience redefined The stadium boasts a pioneering air-conditioning system activated when the roof is closed. This system adopts a bowl cooling method with individual outlets beneath each seat, circulating cool air in spectator areas without having to cool the entire stadium. This approach optimises spectator comfort while enhancing energy efficiency. The successful implementation of this system is a result of the meticulous coordination and integration between structural and MEP engineering. Advanced precast construction techniques have been used alongside an innovative multi-trade integrated MEP (MiMEP) design approach, setting high standards in both functionality and sustainability. Seamless accessibility for visitors Pedestrian access to KTSP is seamlessly integrated at the podium level, ensuring safe and convenient visitor movement without the need to cross busy roads. The facilities throughout the park are interconnected through thoughtfully designed paths and walkways, enhancing the visitor experience. Arup's total engineering services for KTSP extend to the 10,000-seat Kai Tak Arena, the 5,000-seat Youth Sports Ground, and various retail and leisure spaces. 'Working closely with our clients and partners, our multidisciplinary engineering team has overcome numerous challenges to bring Kai Tak Sports Park to life. We've accomplished something incredible together, delivering a vibrant hub that will enrich the community.' - Ben Lam, Project Director of Kai Tak Sports Park, Arup Working in close collaboration with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Kai Tak Sports Park Limited, Hip Hing Engineering Co. Ltd, Populous, Simon Kwan & Associates Ltd., and ADI Limited, Arup provided civil, structural, geotechnical and building services engineering, as well as traffic, fire engineering, façade, acoustics, audio-visual, sports lighting, advanced digital engineering, security, environmental and sustainability #Arup The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Arup Dedicated to sustainable development, Arup is a collective of 18,000 designers, advisors and experts working across 140 countries. Founded to strive for humanity and excellence in everything that we do, we collaborate with our clients and partners, using imagination, technology, and rigour to shape a better world.
