HONG KONG’s chief executive John Lee has called for the city’s showpiece Kai Tak Sports Park to be ready in the first quarter of next year with his minister responsible for sports and tourism pinpointing a March opening.
The sports complex taking shape on the site of the former airport at Kai Tak will have a 50,000-seat stadium complete with retractable roof and corporate boxes.
If the stadium is ready by March, the first international event is likely to be the annual Hong Kong Sevens rugby weekend which draws thousands of fans from across the world.
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A government task force has been set up to oversee a series a drills and capacity tests required inside and outside to stadium to ensure the efficient movement of huge numbers of people.
“I demanded the inter-department task force ensure the Kai Tak Sports Park will be completed on schedule to strengthen Hong Kong’s strategic position as a city for mega events,” the Hong Kong leader commented on social media.
“The Kai Tai Sports Park will hold a grand opening in the first quarter of next year. We look forward to having our local star athletes performing on this world-class stage at the main stadium.”
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Government ministers are also counting on the stadium to host China’s National Games in November 2025 while the acclaimed rock band Coldplay are being scheduled to perform at the venue early next year.
Culture, sports and tourism secretary Kevin Yeung was reported in the South China Morning Post as saying the stadium should be ready by March 2025 with the main structure and facilities completed by the end of this year.
