Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said on Thursday that the government is only responsible for providing the venue for the Hong Kong Snooker All-Star Challenge, hoping the private organization hosting the exhibition event will better their arrangements in future.
His comments came after the troubled Hong Kong Snooker All-Star Challenge struggled to draw crowds, with disgruntled spectators seen complaining about their obstructed views and chaotic arrangements on the opening day of the three-day event.
The organizer, Beyond Borders Sports Academy, previously defended the seating arrangements, yet sources familiar with the matter said it was not something that would have been allowed to happen at any World Snooker Tour-sanctioned events.
One of the guest players at the event, local favorite Marco Fu Ka-chun, also said such arrangements would not be seen at a normal tournament.
Speaking to the press today, Yeung said people should not be of the view that Hong Kong is incapable of hosting mega sports events.
He said Hong Kong has previously hosted the Hong Kong Masters in 2022 and has achieved great success.
Hong Kong United Times丨香港聯合時報丨HKUT 