Opinion | Three-step plan to fulfill role of Kai Tak Sports Park
By Chen Shu
The Kai Tak Sports Park held its first test event on Oct. 27, with 1,500 ticketed spectators attending the second-division football match between Sai Kung and Wong Tai Sin at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground. As this was the first public event and a test of crowd flow at the Kai Tak Sports Park, it received significant media attention. Overall, from departing the MTR station, entering the venue, watching the game, to exiting, everything was well-ordered. Kai Tak's "debut" was considered a success.
It is understood that the HKSAR government will hold 20 more sessions in the future and consult with various departments to continuously refine arrangements. The next goal will be to test ticket sales for about 3,000 people. In my opinion, the Kai Tak Sports Park is the largest sports and recreational facility Hong Kong has ever seen. Effective utilization of the park can significantly promote the development of sports and recreation. Testing the venue's logistics and transportation is just the first step, with the ultimate goal of boosting the local economy and sports industry — a truly "results-oriented" objective.
During the test event, media reports indicated that many attendees were satisfied with the facilities and arrangements at the park. In addition to the venue being new and clean, the entry process was also very smooth. It took approximately 10 minutes for spectators to disperse after the event. Most attendees walked to the MTR Sung Wong Toi Station, demonstrating successful crowd management. Eric Chan, Chief Secretary for Administration pointed out that the next test will involve ticket sales.
Compared to the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground, I believe the government will continue to test the park's ability to handle larger crowds. Managing 1,500 people is relatively easy, but handling the entry and exit of 50,000 people is the real challenge. Kai Tak is served by three MTR stations, with the two closer Tsuen Wan Line stations being key benchmarks. Theoretically, the Tsuen Wan Line can transport tens of thousands of passengers per hour, but these figures are based on a calculation of six people standing per square meter. Unless special arrangements are made, the trains arriving at Sung Wong Toi and Kai Tak stations will not be completely empty. When the main stadium of Kai Tak Sports Park reaches full capacity in the future, managing the evacuation of crowds via MTR, buses, and temporary public transport will be a significant challenge in fully utilizing the venue.
Since the government will continue to conduct tests, I believe they will ultimately find the most effective crowd management plan. Meanwhile, the government and even the operators of the sports park must consider how Kai Tak Sports Park can leverage its advantages. On a smaller scale, the support of venue renters and visitors will be crucial for the park's ongoing operations. On a larger scale, Kai Tak Sports Park can drive the local economy, benefiting not only the park itself but also the entire Kai Tak area, including the cruise terminal and even Kowloon City. The goal is to transform the park's popularity into economic prosperity.
A broader and more ambitious objective is for the construction of Kai Tak Sports Park to promote the popularization of sports, the hosting of major events, and the development of elite sports in Hong Kong. The outstanding performance of the Hong Kong, China team at the Paris Olympics proves that Hong Kong athletes are world-class and capable of competing with and defeating top international athletes. Events like the annual Hong Kong Sevens also demonstrate Hong Kong's ability to host major international sports events. Now that Kai Tak Sports Park, a jewel in the city's sporting infrastructure, is nearing its full opening, we must first address transportation logistics, consider development strategies, and ultimately harness its full potential to promote sports and cultural activities. This will help Hong Kong become a hub for cultural and artistic exchanges between China and the rest of the world.
Earlier, the Legislative Council discussed issues related to visitor flow and retail operations at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. With Kai Tak Sports Park soon to be operational, the park presents an opportunity to revitalize the entire area. From the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to the Sports Park, the Airside Mall, and the neighboring Kowloon City district, these areas should be considered holistically in future planning. If these areas operate independently, without coordination, it will be difficult to achieve the synergistic effect of "1+1 is greater than 2," which could impact the development of Kai Tak Sports Park. Therefore, cross-departmental collaboration within the government, as well as support from various sectors of the community, will be key to realizing the full potential of the area.
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