Editorial | Let Hong Kong athletes focus on sport while officials play right anthem
- New rules introduced after an embarrassing gaffe involving the national song at a rugby match involving Hong Kong place responsibility with organisers and there should be no repeat
The playing of a protest song instead of the national anthem at a rugby match involving Hong Kong has led to serious consequences. Senior city officials have condemned the incident, which occurred at a game in South Korea. The chief secretary met the country’s consul general and demanded it conduct a probe.
Hong Kong police, meanwhile, launched an investigation. The president of Asia Rugby, organiser of the event, flew in to apologise in person.
He stressed it was an innocent mistake not driven by politics.
But it is not only the organisers who have faced criticism. The Hong Kong rugby authorities and team have also come under fire for not doing enough to prevent the blunder and failing to respond appropriately.
The players looked confused and uncomfortable when “Glory to Hong Kong,” a song linked to anti-government protests in 2019, rang out instead of “March of the Volunteers”.
New rules have been unveiled in an attempt to prevent similar mistakes in future and to provide guidance to Hong Kong teams on how to behave should they recur. Team leaders will be responsible for ensuring event organisers have the correct anthem and flag.
