As a co-host of the highly anticipated 15th National Games, Hong Kong is well prepared as Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) -- one of the main venues -- set to host a variety of sports events including rugby sevens, men’s handball, bowling and fencing.
The Park’s main stadium has recently received international certification from Labosport -- a preeminent global leader in the field of testing, certification and consultancy of sport surfaces -- ensuring that the grass turf is in prime condition for the rugby sevens matches.
Tang King-shing, the director (strategic planning) of KTSP, expressed confidence in the venue’s readiness, stating that extensive maintenance and tests have been carried out to showcase the charm of sports alongside the vibrancy of Hong Kong.
The rugby sevens events will take place from Wednesday (Nov 12) to Friday (Nov 14), featuring a total of 40 matches. The Hong Kong men’s and women’s rugby teams will be competing on home turf, with their first matches against the formidable Shandong teams, promising to deliver thrilling moments for fans.
Daniel Fan, operations manager who is responsible for turf maintenance, highlighted the importance of a stable playing surface for the dynamic movements involved in rugby.
The turf of the main stadium is composed of approximately 95 percent Bermuda grass and five percent artificial grass fibres, designed to withstand high-level competitions.
“Bermuda grass is well-suited to Hong Kong’s temperate climate, offering durability and rapid recovery,” said Fan.
He added that the Hong Kong China 15s men’s team recently praised the quality of the turf after a match against Japan, noting its resilience even under the strain of intense physical play.
With the weather forecast predicting possible rain mid-week, Fan reassured that the stadium’s retractable roof will provide a comfortable environment for spectators while also aiding in turf maintenance.
“Natural grass is a living organism, so we manage its height and water levels carefully. If it rains, we will close the roof and use grow light to assist in upkeep,” he explained.
During the tournament, high-traffic areas, particularly in front of the goalposts, will receive extra attention from the maintenance team, he added.
Hong Kong will host a total of eight competition events, with tickets currently on sale -- some finals already sold out.
Describing Kai Tak Sports Park as a significant milestone for Hong Kong’s sports industry, Tang emphasized its convenient transportation and capacity to host multiple large-scale events, providing athletes with more opportunities to compete on home turf.
Since its opening, the main stadium has welcomed nearly 1.5 million visitors. Looking ahead, the sports park will continue to promote the development of mega events. “We have already discussed the rental arrangements until 2027,” he added.
