Sadly, nothing to shout about here

I was all set to clap my hands upon hearing the city may be able to hold the Hong Kong Sevens rugby event later this year.

I thought this would be wonderful as it would signal that the perpetual wait for social distancing restrictions to be lifted and life to return to normal could be in sight if such a big event - usually involving boisterous crowds - could also be held.

Unfortunately, I did not actually get to clap my hands.

According to what Hong Kong Rugby Union's Robbie McRobbie had to say when speaking to RTHK, the event this year will be massively different.

McRobbie said he was still awaiting approval from the government - a decision presumably due to be made by the new John Lee Ka-chiu administration.

That's because the Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor administration is preoccupied with securing the sophisticated closed-loop logistics essential to welcoming the state leader for the July 1 ceremony.

If given the green light, the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament will adhere to a closed-loop operation similar to that of the Beijing Winter Olympics earlier this year.

The shock was loud and clear as the rugby union chief spoke to RTHK, even though I wished so much that I'd heard it wrong: it's going to be a closed-loop operation, the Beijing-Winter-Olympics way.

The initial joy was immediately extinguished as there seemed not much to cheer about.

For one, if the event will have to be held under such stringent restrictions, could it mean that current social distancing restrictions will continue for awhile and are unlikely to be lifted before year end?

If that's the case, it will be most distressing.

Then there's the question of how many athletes would be willing to come and take part in the tournament knowing that their freedom would be restricted.

According to a Nikkei Asia news report, the number of teams expected to play at the rugby tournament will be cut from the usual 40 to 16.

The Hong Kong Rugby Union has not revealed details of its plan. If the media report is correct, the event will be massively scaled down.

Could it be that the organizer has already communicated with the usual teams, with only that small number responding favorably to its invitation?

Sadly, a tournament without the legendary loud and cheerful crowds will no longer be the Hong Kong Sevens.

An iconic feature of the massively popular sporting event has been the boisterous crowds in colorful costumes spilling into Causeway Bay, Happy Valley and Tin Hau at the end of each match day.

Bear in mind that the Beijing Winters Olympics closed-loop was a tightly controlled network of buses, hotels, security, practice and competition, designed to separate the games from everyday life.

A closed-loop system would simply rid the Hong Kong Sevens of their unique mood.

Perhaps McRobbie should consider revising the plan with reference to sports events around the world, where matches are now played normally in stadiums in front of large cheering crowds.

Only then will the Hong Kong Sevens be an event to clap about.