Hong Kong is losing to Singapore in terms of facilities, "casting doubt on the return of the ever-popular EPL Asia Trophy in the near future," according to Chan Kin-wa of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. English Premier League CEO Richard Scudamore said that it had made "no decision about the next event in '17, but Hong Kong, a three-time host for the tournament which features three Premier League sides and a local heavyweight in a two-day event, must improve its pitch facilities if it is going to happen again." Scudamore: "We love Hong Kong. The Premier League loves Hong Kong. The clubs love coming here and the fans are fantastic, but we had a great experience in Singapore this summer and that stadium is fantastic. Singapore in some way has stolen the edge with that stadium. If anything can be done to improve stadium facilities, pitch facilities here then it makes it more likely a major football even will come." Singapore now boasts a "new national stadium, a multi-purpose arena used mostly for football matches featuring a dome and retractable roof." The stadium has a maximum seating capacity of 55,000. Scudamore added, "If we could create similar conditions [to Singapore] in terms of pitch and facilities here I know the clubs would love to come back" (SCMP, 9/23).
