Japanese World Cup fans cleaning stadiums in Qatar after matches an example for Hong Kong people to start taking better care of city’s environment

Fans of the Samurai Blue have lit up social media with their efforts to clear away their and others’ rubbish after matches at the World Cup in Qatar

In Hong Kong, where cleanliness often stops at the doors to our homes, we could emulate them by carrying bags for rubbish – it would show pride in our city

3-MIN READ3-MIN

Fans of Japan clean up their trash as they leave the stadium after their team’s World Cup match against Costa Rica at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Photo: Serhat Cagdas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Luisa Tam

Luisa Tam has been a journalist for more than 30 years.

Published: 8:45am, 10 Dec 2022Updated: 6:58pm, 11 Dec 2022

The football World Cup in Qatar has captured the imagination of most sports enthusiasts. Some diehard fans even took time off from work to fly to Doha for the tournament.

This World Cup is being viewed as a test case for the reintroduction and staging of international competitive events in light of the passing of the Covid-19 pandemic, which wreaked havoc on the global sporting scene. Thankfully this year’s contest hasn’t disappointed, with many surprises on and off the pitch.  

Of all the unexpected delights so far, one stands out as being exceptional. Following their surprise start (a 2-1 win over four-time world champions Germany on November 23) Japanese fans were seen picking up rubbish in the stands.

Decked out in Japanese team jerseys and armed with rubbish bags, the supporters were seen moving along rows of seats, salvaging cans, bottles and other trash from the stadium floor.