Rugby fans brave the chill as electric atmosphere heats up Kai Tak Stadium

Hong Kong Sevens fans kept on partying at the Kai Tak Stadium despite drizzles and cold breezes as the tournament entered its final day on Sunday.

The temperature dropped to around 13 degrees Celsius in the morning, but many spectators braved the cold, wearing short-sleeved clothing to watch the matches.

The atmosphere at the stadium reached its peak with several finals taking place on the field, a special flight demonstration by Cathay Pacific, and a performance by the English rock band Kaiser Chiefs.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu was also in the stands on the final game day, watching the rugby matches while enjoying a beer with his wife, Janet Lee Lam Lai-sim. He congratulated the city’s men and women squads on their victory in the Melrose contest.

Using rugby terms, Lee said the Kai Tak Stadium has successfully scored a “try” by staging its first large-scale tournament, and is ready to host more.

“Over a hundred thousand people through the gates over three days is incredible,” said Alan Gilpin, chief executive officer of World Rugby.

“Every new stadium around the world has challenges when it first opened. Whatever challenges they experienced, I’m sure they are dealing with and overcoming.”

In the afternoon, Hongkongers were immersed in nostalgia as a Cathay Pacific A350 passenger jet soared above Victoria Harbour, celebrating the city's aviation legacy that began a century ago in Kai Tak.

The 20-minute special flight demonstration featured CX8100 taking off from Hong Kong International Airport at around 4pm.

According to the flagship carrier, the aircraft flew at 1,100 feet -- an altitude slightly lower than the city’s tallest building, the 108-storey International Commerce Centre.

It went past Central, Wan Chai, and North Point before circling back and returning to Chek Lap Kok airport.

As the flight approached the Kai Tak Stadium, it stirred the fond memories of citizens when planes swept past densely packed buildings in Kowloon City to land at the old Kai Tak airport.

A broadcast message from the captain was played at the venue, wishing everyone a good time at the rugby sevens.

Crowds exclaimed in excitement as the aircraft loomed close and the roar of its engines reverberated across the sky. Onlookers exchanged questions like: “Did you see it? Did you snap a photo?”

Two young women who have never experienced the Kai Tak airport era hoped they could relive the older generation’s memories when planes swept past densely packed buildings in Kowloon City.

However, a resident, who used to work in Kowloon City, was not happy with the flight demonstration. He said the plane was not flying low enough, “having deceived the whole audience,” and it did not evoke any nostalgia for him.

Cathay Pacific chief executive officer Ronald Lam Siu-por said he was touched when the A350 flight flew by, saying it also held great significance to employees who once worked at the old Kai Tak airport.

Meanwhile, the authorities have urged the Kai Tak Sports Park to increase food supply and manpower to address long queues at kiosks and quickly sold-out refreshments on previous days, leading to an improvement of today’s situation.

Speaking to reporters at around 2pm, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said the park has boosted supply and reassigned staff from the Kai Tak Arena to assist with catering service at the stadium.

Regarding grievances from yesterday that spectators were not allowed to enter the South Stand despite clearly visible empty seats, Law explained that some revelers left their seats to party, but the capacity at the party stand was in fact already full.

(Jamie Liu)

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