The Snooker World Grand Prix was poised to be the first major international event kicking off the “Hong Kong Super March” festivities. However, after the first day, the focus shifted dramatically from the excitement of the tournament to the controversial decision to eject fans from the venue before midnight, casting a shadow over the event.
The tournament was broadcast by networks such as Eurosport, TNT Sports, and Discovery+, and this episode gained traction beyond local news.
Coverage from UK outlets, including The Mirror, the Daily Express, Metro, and The Sun, amplified the story, bringing unwanted attention to Hong Kong. Unfortunately, this was not the kind of spotlight the city needed as it seeks to re-establish itself as a prominent destination for international events.
The recent Snooker Grand Prix at Kai Tak Sports Park has exposed a glaring oversight in event management that transcends mere logistical hiccups; it represents a significant misstep in delivering the world-class experience that the venue promises. As a new centrepiece for sports in Hong Kong, the park should be setting the standard for excellence. Yet, this incident has left many questioning its operational readiness.
To put it bluntly, asking fans to leave before the conclusion of an event is not just an inconvenience – it’s a betrayal of their enthusiasm and investment in the experience. Spectators flocked to the venue eager to witness top-tier snooker, only to find themselves ushered out prematurely. This miscalculation not only dampens the excitement surrounding the event but also tarnishes the reputation of the venue as a whole.
Any competent event manager should thoroughly study the terms of the venue contract; to claim ignorance regarding a curfew is not only unprofessional but also unacceptable. It reflects a level of oversight akin to a teenager making a significant mistake on their first day at work – an error that is simply not excusable in a high-stakes environment.
Feng Huanhuan, CEO of F-Sports Promotions, the event organiser, explained that the company was unaware of the venue’s midnight curfew. “Having organised large snooker events in mainland China, where there are no such restrictions, we didn’t anticipate this issue,” Feng stated. However, this raises serious questions about the professionalism expected from event managers.
Adding to the complexity, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law, indicated that the organisers had maintained close communication with the Kai Tak Sports Park management regarding event arrangements. Both parties had agreed that matches could extend into the late hours, believing that Hong Kong venues could accommodate such timing, albeit at a reasonable rental cost.
However, shouldn’t this discussion have occurred prior to the event? For instance, when concert organisers exceed their allotted time venues operated by the HK government’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department, such as the Hong Kong Coliseum, they simply inform the venue with reasonable notice – and, of course, pay an additional fee. This is not rocket science; it is a fundamental principle of event management.
While responsibility for this fiasco lies with multiple parties, the primary blame rests squarely on the shoulders of the event organiser. The event manager cannot excuse its failure to plan the tournament’s program around the venue’s terms and conditions.
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The curfew issue must have been communicated and documented in the contract. It is undoubtedly the event manager’s duty to anticipate the risk of game overruns when the last game was scheduled for 10pm. Crafting a contingency plan for such a scenario should be considered an elementary task. Furthermore, it is inconceivable that the management team of a premier venue like Kai Tak would have neglected to remind the organiser of these logistical challenges.
This incident comes at a critical time when the Hong Kong government is actively promoting the city as the “Mega Event Capital” of Asia. This aspiration is part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate Hong Kong’s economy and restore its status as a global hub for tourism and events. However, incidents like this jeopardise that vision, sending a message that the city may not yet be ready to host high-profile international events without significant hiccups.
The impact on Hong Kong’s reputation cannot be understated. Prospective organisers of future mega events are likely to scrutinise this incident, weighing the risks of hosting their events in a city that appears to struggle with basic operational logistics. If Hong Kong is to be seen as a reliable and attractive destination for major sporting events, it must demonstrate that it can deliver seamless experiences for participants and spectators.
Beyond the shortcomings of event management that evening, there is room for improvement within venue management operations. Effective communication is paramount; attendees should be kept informed at every step, especially when it comes to regulations that could impact their experience.
As Rosanna Law mentioned in the media briefing, the curfew was implemented due to potential challenges in securing public transportation post-curfew. However, attendees should have had the choice to remain until the end of the game. If they opted to do so, the venue’s responsibility was to inform them, not to eject them. The company managing Kai Tak Sports Park, ASM Global, should have ample experience dealing with similar challenges worldwide.
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The Kai Tak Sports Park has the potential to be a beacon for sports in the region, but incidents like this underscore the importance of meticulous planning and execution. If the venue aims to be a top-tier destination, it must prioritise the fan experience above all else, learning from this misstep to prevent it from happening again. After all, the heart of sports lies in its fans, and they deserve better.
For Hong Kong to truly become the Mega Event Capital, it must not only attract events but also ensure that they are executed flawlessly, thereby reinforcing its reputation on the global stage. In short, while we have world-class hardware, the question remains: where’s the software? The government should invest in training local talent in mega-event management, including organisers, promoters, logistics service providers, and venue operators.
Roy Ying is a former professional conference organiser who lectures in event management and marketing at Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
