HONG KONG GETS READY FOR ITS GREAT SPORTING CARNIVAL - THE “SEVENS”

There are a few annual sports events around the world that have become so famous for their carnival atmosphere, you don’t even need to be a sports fan to enjoy them. The Credit Suisse First Boston Hong Kong Sevens is one of that elite number.

Whether you come to see some of the world’s top rugby players in pulsating action or simply to soak up the atmosphere, however, the “Sevens” is an event not to be missed. Each year visitors descend on Hong Kong from all parts of the world to provide noisy and colourful support for their national teams during the three-day event, some coming back year after year.

The 2001 Credit Suisse First Boston Hong Kong Sevens will take place from Friday 30 March to Sunday 1 April, and once again the 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium is expected to be filled to capacity. With newcomers the West Indies adding a Caribbean flavour for the first time, and rugby superpowers New Zealand, Fiji, Australia all back in action again, excitement both on and off the pitch is guaranteed.

What usually strikes visitors the most is the incredible party atmosphere and camaraderie in the stands, despite the fierce and noisy rivalry among fans bedecked from head to toe in their national colours. Many people bring the whole family along to join in the fun. And long after the matches have finished, the partying continues in the bars and restaurants of Causeway Bay, Wan Chai and Lan Kwai Fong.

Started in 1976 as a one-day regional event, the Hong Kong Sevens has grown into a 24-team international competition attracting a global television audience of more than 200 million viewers. Its successful formula has changed the way the world watches championship rugby, inspiring the launch of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1993 and the International Rugby Board’s World Sevens Series in 2000.

Few would dispute, though, that the Credit Suisse First Boston Hong Kong Sevens remains the world’s premier sevens event.

Once again this year teams – and fans – will converge on Hong Kong from every part of the world. From the Americas there are the USA, Canada, the West Indies, and Argentina; from Europe there are England, Wales, France, Portugal and Russia; and from the Middle East and Africa, the Arabian Gulf and South Africa.

Australasia will be represented by crowd favourites Fiji, defending champions New Zealand, Australia and Samoa, while the ever growing popularity of rugby in Asia is well reflected in a line-up of Japan, Korea, Mainland China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei and of course, home team Hong Kong.

The teams will play off in six pools of four on 30 and 31 March, with pool placings determining who goes through to the Cup, Plate and Bowl finals on Sunday 1 April.

The 2001 Credit Suisse First Boston Hong Kong Sevens is a “Spotlight Hong Kong” event promoted by the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA).

The Sevens has its own Web site at www.hksevens.com.hk, through which on-line ticket bookings can be made. Although advance booking is recommended, visitors who are already in Hong Kong will be able to purchase tickets at the Hong Kong Stadium box office (every weekend until 25 March), or at the official 2001 Sevens retail outlet at Shop 306, 3/F Exchange Square Podium, 8 Connaught Place, Central, which also carries a full range of tournament merchandise.