A Hong Kong green group has raised concerns over the excessive use of disposable items at the soon-to-be-opened Kai Tak Sports Park, a day after a tournament banned spectators from bringing in water bottles despite the availability of multiple on-site water dispensers.
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Nearly 10,250 spectators gathered at the main stadium of the sports park on Sunday for the University Sports Federation of Hong Kong, China’s rugby sevens tournament finals on Sunday, marking the first trial event at the 50,000-seat venue.
The event featured a total of 17 matches with 17,500 tickets distributed to rugby clubs, youth groups and other local organisations.
Some of the spectators were unaware of the ban on water bottles and food at the event and were asked to leave their belongings on racks outside the stadium, but organisers did not provide labels so items could be marked.
A Post reporter covering the event also noted the event did not allow participants to bring their own refillable mugs and were charging HK$35 (US$4.50) per bottle of water.
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Greenpeace on Monday said it had sent a team to survey the waste left on site after the event.
Leanne Tam Wing-lam, a campaigner with the organisation, lamented the piles of disposable cups and containers left in overflowing trash cans, even though residents could have been allowed to use water dispensers available on site.