The Hong Kong football team made its debut at the main stadium of Kai Tak Sports Park the day before yesterday (June 10), securing a dramatic last-minute victory against India in their opening match of the Asian Cup qualifiers. The win sent over 42,000 spectators into a frenzy amid a "red sea" of Hong Kong team jerseys, with many fans describing the scene as "breathtaking" and repeatedly moved to tears.
Several legislators, scholars, and sports figures pointed out yesterday that the opening of Kai Tak Sports Park has helped Hong Kong foster a sports craze. However, they emphasized the need to seize this opportunity to develop "home ground economy" and "fandom economy" to sustain the momentum.
From all aspects
"Fandom economy" refers to the consumption behaviors of fans to back their idols or teams. From lipsticks, biscuits, and plush toys to tickets, apparel, and various products and services, all are part of the support economy. This phenomenon is not only particularly prevalent in Asia but also increasingly popular worldwide. Vincent Cheng, vice chairman of the Major Sports Events Committee and a Legislative Council (LegCo) Member, said on a radio program yesterday (June 11) that he also attended the match the day before and praised the electrifying atmosphere, proving that many citizens are willing to support local sports in person.
"In recent years, Hong Kong has hosted various major events, and many voices have insisted on inviting foreign football stars or singers. This time, it proved that local matches can also attract large crowds of fans and sports-loving citizens, allowing even non-diehard fans to experience the excitement of the game. I believe this can draw them back to future matches."
Grand home ground atmosphere
However, he noted that from the perspectives of commercialization and industrialization, there is still much room for improvement.
Cheng suggested that Kai Tak Sports Park consider establishing a committee to discuss future industrial development, including event planning, public marketing, ticketing arrangements, and venue management. Also, it should develop peripheral products and membership services while securing more commercial sponsorships.
He added that Hong Kong football has experienced many ups and downs in its development and hopes the SAR government will seize this opportunity for reform, perhaps by investing more effort in commercialization, adding entertainment elements to matches, and exploring ways to attract more overseas teams to play in Hong Kong. He mentioned that the Major Sports Events Committee is actively working to bring more large-scale international competitions to Hong Kong.
Prof. Patrick Lau from the Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health at Hong Kong Baptist University described the recent match on the same program as showcasing an "unprecedented home ground atmosphere." He believes this was due to the affordable ticket prices, the newness of the venue, and convenient transportation, which boosted attendance.
He is also confident that many sports in Hong Kong can develop through industrialization. For example, water sports like kayaking and windsurfing could collaborate with cities in Southeast Asia and the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to host large-scale events. He argued that Hong Kong must first establish a strong "home ground economy" before it can develop a "fandom economy." Specifically, it could attract more emerging sports to Hong Kong and consider setting up a football history museum at Kai Tak Sports Park to celebrate great athletes.
Citing the example of the renowned club Manchester United, he noted that its success relies heavily on legacy and biographical appeal.
"Hong Kong can emulate this by creating biographies of its famous footballers, making everyone feel proud and aware of Hong Kong football's history."
Gordon Yau, chairman of Hong Kong Fitness Guide, said that aside from Kai Tak Sports Park providing the hardware for hosting major sports events, Hongkongers' growing passion for sports in recent years and the increasing participation in various sports associations have laid the foundation for promoting a sports craze and developing a sports economy.
He suggested that the SAR government, in addition to organizing more sports events and encouraging public participation, should leverage the power of businesses and the community. For instance, offering tax incentives to companies that host sports activities could mobilize market forces more effectively to drive the sports craze and expand the sports economy.
(Source: Wen Wei Po; Journalist: Wang Xi; English Editor: Darius)
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