One could argue about whether Hong Kong is a cultural desert or a heartless/soulless place where money is the only objective. But no one can dispute that Hong Kong is a sporting vacuum. On this issue there is no doubt, that, for a sports fan, or sports enthusiast, Hong Kong offers nothing but mediocracy and dullness.
I’m not referring to the Hong Kong Sevens, or even the Cricket Sixes, or even the horseracing here, which is pretty good (although the horses are mostly nags with three legs – but they are ridden by top class athletes). Here’s my point, the athletes taking part in the Sevens, Sixes and horseracing are not from Hong Kong..
I’ve attended several sporting events in Hong Kong, including The Sevens, racing at Shatin and Happy Valley, and I’ve enjoyed the spectacle (both on and off the sporting field), but I’m not sure how much the other spectators were really deeply interested in the competition. The Sevens is a really amazing party, but the drinking quickly takes precedent over the rugby. Although the passions of racegoers in Hong Kong is intense, this enthusiasm is driven by the potential for winning money, rather than the beauty and power of a thoroughbred horse driving to the line. In a way, Hong Kong punters are pragmatists because most of the time they are watching a pack of nags.
So where does Hong Kong’s population of 5 million potential sportspeople rank in terms of sporting achievements. I think it is fair to say, pretty darn poorly. We have produced one Olympic gold medallist (San San won at windsurfing) back when it was a new sport, with very few competitors of any worth. The other medallists were imported mainland ping pong players.
