The abrupt expulsion of spectators before the conclusion of an international snooker competition at the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) was not a minor mistake — it was an error that should never have happened. The organizers at a professional, world-class sports venue should never allow such incidents to occur. Even the Hong Kong Coliseum, managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, has a robust system in place to handle events running overtime. This ensures that Hong Kong has never witnessed the absurd scenario of audiences being ejected before a concert ends.
This incident underscores a glaring issue: The absence of an accountability framework at KTSP. The root problem is not regulatory oversight but the lack of accountability. Strengthening oversight is meaningless without clarity on who is ultimately responsible. Even though cross-departmental working groups, joint review committees, and advisory boards exist for KTSP, there is no designated individual to whom these bodies report. A visit to the park’s official website reveals no details about its governance structure — such as the identities or backgrounds of board members, the chief executive officer, and committee members.
The oversight mechanisms proposed by Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui — such as regular meetings, emergency response protocols, and spokesperson systems — are fundamentally ineffective. For a sports park, effective leadership is paramount. So, who is leading the park? Is it Kai Tak Sports Park Ltd? Or is it former police commissioner Tang King-shing, director of strategic planning at KTSP?
In a global city like Hong Kong, such a preventable mistake is unacceptable. When hosting an international snooker tournament, the venue operator should anticipate the possibility of the event running over time. At the Hong Kong Coliseum, when performers overrun their schedule, a well-established system for handling overtime fees is already in place. Why didn’t KTSP adopt a similar approach?
Even with enhanced oversight mechanisms, KTSP’s accountability issues remain unresolved. If Law is ultimately accountable, then she must bear the political responsibility. However, accountability requires clearly defined leadership at all levels. For example, the chairman of the Airport Authority, Lam Tin-fuk, has been its CEO since 2014 and is the ultimate accountable figure. His responsibilities and reporting lines are well-defined. By contrast, KTSP lacks a clearly identified accountable leader, revealing a fundamental flaw in its governance and accountability structure.
Establishing more oversight mechanisms is ineffective without clear leadership. Law must identify an individual who will step forward and take responsibility. In a recent interview, she cited the involvement of many expatriates in the park’s management, stating that they may not fully understand local laws, including environmental regulations. She compared this situation to raising a child, saying one must “let go” to allow them to learn to walk — a statement that reflects a limited understanding of how international sports organizations operate. Employing foreign teams is meant to introduce international best practices. Is it rather that Hong Kong’s laws lag behind global standards? Should the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau push for legal reforms to bridge this gap?
One particularly perplexing issue is the requirement for temporary public entertainment licenses for every event held at the park. This outdated practice is nothing short of an international embarrassment. If it continues, Hong Kong will never establish itself as a global hub for sports, culture, and entertainment. The licensing system, one of the most archaic and convoluted among international cities, forces organizers to navigate a labyrinth involving the Fire Services Department, the Buildings Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, and numerous other agencies. This creates unnecessary hurdles and complicates event planning.
KTSP is not merely a venue for sports; it incorporates significant entertainment components. Its primary revenue should come from hosting cultural and entertainment events, as well as internationally impactful sports competitions. To achieve this, KTSP’s operational model must be both flexible and dynamic. Most importantly, the park needs a strong leader — not a caretaker merely focused on maintenance. Just as a professional international football team requires a manager, Law must clarify who is leading KTSP, ensuring that he or she is accountable to Hong Kong society.
The success of KTSP, like a sports team, hinges on its leadership.
Stretching over 28 hectares, KTSP is an expansive venue with numerous safety concerns. While the large-scale drill conducted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government in February was a useful safety exercise, the real test will come when a series of concerts and sports events take place. These events will critically evaluate the operational capabilities of the park. At this juncture, the government must name the person ultimately responsible for KTSP’s operations, rather than focus on announcing oversight mechanisms that may already be too little, too late.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who previously served as a deputy commissioner of police, understands the importance of accountability. For example, the Yau Tsim Mong police district operates under the clear leadership of a district commander. Similarly, the government must appoint a chief accountable officer for KTSP to oversee coordination, management, decision-making, and emergency response. This will prevent future debacles. A HK$31.9 billion ($4.1 billion) facility under the aegis of an ill-equipped management team cannot help elevate Hong Kong to the status of an international cultural, tourism, and sports metropolis.
The author is a member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies and artistic director of Zuni Icosahedron.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
