Hong Kong’s football fans have much to look forward to this summer, from the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada to the city’s hosting of top clubs from England, Italy and Germany.
But amid all the excitement about games featuring the sport’s top players, there is a need to ensure local football is supported and developed.
The domestic season ended on May 30, with Tai Po beating Eastern District in the FA Cup final, following Kitchee’s winning of the Premier League.
There have been some encouraging developments during the season with standards improving and attendances rising, albeit from a low base. Some clubs, notably Eastern District, have made admirable efforts to attract more fans by enhancing the match day experience. This is a trend which should gather momentum.
But there is still much work to be done. Improvements are needed to facilities, including pitches. And clubs must be able to make stadiums feel like their home.
There remains a severe lack of the traditional drivers of revenue, such as income from ticket sales, broadcasting and transfer fees.