Hong Kong football bosses postpone top-flight matches, clubs help in fire relief effort
Game’s local governing body follows example set by Oxfam Trailwalker, Cyclothon and Hong Kong China Rugby
Hong Kong’s sporting community has continued to offer its support in the wake of the growing tragedy in Tai Po, where a neighbourhood fire has so far claimed more than 100 lives.
Groups have begun organising collections of essential items for those affected by the blaze, which ripped through several residential buildings in Wang Fuk Court on Wednesday and Thursday, leaving hundreds homeless.
And in the wake of the deadliest fire in the city in the past 30 years, Hong Kong’s biggest off-road race, the Oxfam Trailwalker, the annual cyclothon and all men’s and women’s rugby fixtures have been called off, while on Friday, the Football Association of Hong Kong, China said all Premier League matches on Sunday had been postponed.
However, unlike rugby, it said this weekend’s games in the lower divisions would go ahead “except those held in Tai Po district”.
In addition, a minute’s silence would be observed at all local matches, as well as before the under-17s’ clash with the Northern Mariana Islands on Friday, and the women’s team’s game away to Liechtenstein on Saturday. Both representative sides would also wear black armbands, the HKFA said in a statement.
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94 dead in Hong Kong Tai Po fire as search for survivors continues for third day
“We extend our highest respect to all those involved in the rescue operation, our deepest condolences to the victims of the accident, and our sincerest sympathies to their families and all the injured,” the statement read.