Hong Kong Commissioner for Sports Yeung Tak-keung insisted the "controversial" HK$31.9B ($4.1B) Kai Tak Sports Park "will not be another white elephant" -- and warned that Hong Kong "faces missing out on playing a part in a China-hosted World Cup without it," according to James Porteous of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. The "massive project" on the former airport site faced "heavy criticism from lawmakers over the course of 12 hours of debate in the Legislative Council this month." The 28-hectare park -- comprising a 50,000-seat stadium, 10,000-seat indoor arena, 5,000-seat community sports ground, 57,000 square meters of retail space, a "dining cove," hotel, public open areas "and more" -- has been "attacked by some as another costly disaster waiting to happen." But Yeung, "whose remit is to get the sports park built some 20 years after it was proposed," said otherwise and is adamant that the facility is "vital for the development of sport in Hong Kong." Yeung said, "I'm not surprised [by the level of opposition]. We were fully prepared. This is not a white elephant -- this is what Hong Kong people need and what our sportsmen and sportswomen need." Yeung added that "further delays would increase the already daunting price -- and possibly rule out any Hong Kong involvement in a China-hosted football World Cup." Yeung: "What I can say with certainty now is that without the facilities we will not be part of the picture. If we have the facilities then it's possible -- not only the World Cup but all sorts of major events." The mainland seems "certain to host one of the next three World Cups." Kai Tak "should be open long before, but the long history of delays does not inspire confidence" (SCMP, 5/30).
