If the opening day of competition set the tone for celebration, day two of the Hong Kong Sevens delivered something deeper — a moving tribute to time, legacy and the sport's enduring spirit in the city.
On Saturday afternoon (April 18), beyond the on-field battles of HKSAR's men's and women's teams competing for the Melrose Claymores, the crowd's attention turned to a special March Past at around 2:40 p.m. Held to commemorate the tournament's 50th anniversary, the ceremony brought together players from the inaugural 1976 edition, legendary figures from across the decades, and members of the HKSAR representative teams, all returning to the pitch.
As the procession made its way around Kai Tak Sports Park, the atmosphere shifted. Roaring cheers gave way to waves of respectful applause. In the stands, fans watched as the "50th anniversary uncles" — with greying hair and unsteady steps — smiled and waved back at the crowd. In that moment, time seemed to fold in on itself: on one side, a new generation of fans dressed as bananas and superheroes; on the other, the pioneers who planted the seeds of rugby in HK half a century ago.
The response from spectators was deeply moving. Each time the veterans paused to acknowledge the crowd, applause erupted with an intensity rivaling that of a try being scored.
Among the legends was Peter Duncan, head coach of the HK team in 1976. Having served the city's rugby community for five decades, Duncan reflected on the stark contrast between the modest grounds of the Hong Kong Football Club, which hosted the inaugural tournament, and the state-of-the-art Kai Tak venue today.
"If you're sitting in the stadium in 1976 and you'd ask me where is this going to go, you couldn't have envisaged anything such as this," he said. "I think we've reached some sort of Pinnacle as far as the game is concerned and the facilities are concerned."
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