On Sept. 19, the second round of the WXV Global Series Challenger was held at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground, where 12th-ranked Fiji defeated the Hong Kong China women's team — four places lower at 16th — by 54–26. Facing a higher-ranked opponent, Hong Kong showed real grit in front of their home crowd.
For Lai, Director of Hong Kong China Rugby, the match is a piece of a bigger picture. Hong Kong's first five-year plan will be very important for the development of sports in Hong Kong, he said. There will be more professional athletes supported by the government. Rugby is also very keen to take part, and also grow locally in Hong Kong.
Ranked 16th, Hong Kong now hosts international world famous teams, Fiji, Samoa, on home soil. Drawing on the National Games in 2025 and the annual Hong Kong Sevens, he is confident Hong Kong can host more mega events, drawing spectators from GBA, or across the border from everywhere around the world.
"Last time, we took part in the 2017 Rugby World Cup, we made it to the top of the global stage," Lai said. "And now... we still have the hope to participate in the 2029 Rugby World Cup again. So this is the hope for the whole generation of women's rugby players in Hong Kong."
"Please come to Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground next week, and support the home team."
(Reporter, Cameraman: Lynn Zhou; Video Editing: Ian Lau)
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