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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (October 8) formally informed the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) that in view of the latest growing situation of the turf of the Hong Kong Stadium (HKS), as well as the staging of the Olympic Rugby Sevens Qualifier Tournament scheduled for November 7 and 8, HKS will not be made available as the venue for the World Cup qualifier match - Hong Kong vs China on November 17.
HKFA confirmed and formally requested in April this year to rent HKS for the World Cup qualifier match - Hong Kong vs China on November 17, 2015. LCSD has been maintaining communications with HKFA over the venue for the match, and notified the Association that a decision on whether the match could take place in HKS would only be made after the completion of the HKS turf pitch reconstruction and a close observation of the growth of the new turf.
LCSD approved at the end of 2014 the use of HKS for the Olympic Rugby Sevens Qualifier Tournament scheduled for November 7 and 8. The department anticipated considerable damage to the new turf after around 50 vigorous rugby matches. According to the current turf conditions and turf experts' advice, LCSD today formally informed HKFA that the department was unable to ensure HKS could be restored to world-class standard just within more than a week after the rugby matches. As a result, HKS would not be available for the World Cup qualifier match on November 17. The department suggested that HKFA consider using other LCSD soccer pitches for the qualifier match.
After deliberation with LCSD, HKFA has decided to hold the event at the Mong Kok Stadium.
Ends/Thursday, October 8, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:42
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