Hong Kong green group slams Kai Tak rugby event for banning water bottles
Event at main stadium of soon-to-be-opened sports park banned spectators from bringing in mugs and bottles to be refilled at water dispensers
A Hong Kong green group has raised concerns over the use of disposable items at the soon-to-open Kai Tak Sports Park, a day after a tournament banned spectators from bringing in water bottles despite the availability of multiple on-site water dispensers.
Nearly 10,250 spectators gathered at the main stadium of the sports park on Sunday for the University Sports Federation of Hong Kong, China’s rugby sevens tournament finals, marking the first trial event at the 50,000-seat venue.
The event featured 17 matches with 17,500 tickets distributed to rugby clubs, youth groups and other local organisations.
Some of the spectators were unaware of the ban on water bottles at the event and were forced to leave them outside.
A Post reporter covering the event also noted the event did not allow participants to bring their own refillable mugs and were charging HK$35 (US$4.50) per bottle of water.
Greenpeace on Monday said it had sent a team to survey the waste left after the event.
Leanne Tam Wing-lam, a campaigner with the organisation, said rubbish bins were overflowing with disposable cups and containers, even though residents could have been allowed to use water dispensers available on site.
