Hong Kong Badminton Association Chair Tong Wai-lun said on Monday that the "design proposal for a multi-purpose indoor arena on the former Kai Tak airport site" in Hong Kong would "deny thousands of fans access to high-profile events," according to Chan Kin-wa of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. Although the government's "new facility could accommodate up to seven courts, it would seat just 4,000 fans," 1,600 less than the Hong Kong Coliseum, which is the "existing principal venue for top events" such as the annual int'l Badminton Superseries. The Coliseum has room for "only four competition badminton courts, which has been deemed inadequate by the sport's world governing body." Tong said he felt "let down." Tong: "We need an indoor venue of at least 6,000 seats to host international events and had specified this on the record of our request." Tong "understood the new venue was still in the planning stage" as it was scheduled to open in '19. Tong said, "We sincerely hope the government will consider our needs. We don't think it will cost a lot more money to expand the venue to 6,000" (SCMP, 10/28).
