My Take | With big matches coming to Hong Kong, it’s important that all fans feel safe
An Indian football lover’s negative experience at Kai Tak Stadium should remind those organising such events that they need to be prepared
Hong Kong has caught football fever, with the city playing host to a string of high-profile events.
Top European teams will soon compete in a “football festival” and a museum dedicated to superstar Cristiano Ronaldo opens this month. Hopes of bringing the Brazilian national team to the city were revealed last week.
But all of this has, so far, been outshone by a match featuring the Hong Kong team. The vibrant atmosphere created by more than 42,000 fans celebrating the recent win over India was a joy to watch.
Local fans enjoyed a memorable evening at the new Kai Tak Stadium. Such occasions give Hong Kong football a much-needed boost.
But the experience was not so enjoyable for a 31-year-old Indian woman and resident of the city, who gave her name as Yaga.
She alleged she had been harassed and intimidated by rival Hong Kong fans sitting near her in response to her passionate support for the Indian team, posting a video that partly supports her claims. Yaga says water was thrown over her and an obscene gesture made towards her by one local fan. She was laughed at, stared at and taunted, she said.