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Hong Kong Sevens
Hong KongSociety

Hong Kong Sevens 2024: party starts as rugby fans arrive from around the world

  • While overseas fans are visiting for the Sevens, they also plan to ‘enjoy life in Hong Kong, go sightseeing and explore the city’
  • Wan Chai pubs and bars operators are also celebrating an uptick in business

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Wan Chai’s bars were busy on Thursday ahead of the weekend’s rugby Sevens action. Photo: May Tse
Wynna Wong
The party is back on in full swing for rugby fans ahead of this weekend’s sell-out Hong Kong Sevens with spectators descending on the city from around the world, although bar operators have said business is still far from pre-Covid levels.
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Pubs and bars in Wan Chai were brimming on Thursday with decreasingly sober patrons as the night went on. A number of them were set to attend the first day of the Sevens tournament at the 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium in Causeway Bay on Friday.

Among those arriving from overseas were Fijians Asena Weleilakeba and Mere Samoave, who landed in the city on Wednesday and would be staying for a week.

Both were visiting for the first time, and had come especially for the hotly anticipated Sevens, but would also “enjoy life in Hong Kong, go sightseeing and explore the city”, Samoave said.

“I can’t even explain, it’s awesome,” added Weleilakeba, when asked about her thoughts on Hong Kong so far.

First-time visitors Mere Samoave (left) and Asena Weleilakeba are excited to be in Hong Kong. Photo: May Tse
First-time visitors Mere Samoave (left) and Asena Weleilakeba are excited to be in Hong Kong. Photo: May Tse

They also said they looked forward to rooting for their country’s team, perennial favourites at the Hong Kong Sevens.

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