Funding For Kai Tak Multi-Purpose Sports Complex In Hong Kong Delayed

The "dream remains just that for Hong Kong's sports community" as the building of a world-class sports complex at the former Kai Tak airport site "failed to secure funding for its initial projects," according to Chan Kin-wa of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. No decision was made on whether the government could secure a HK$62.7M ($8M) sum for "pre-construction work on the proposed Kai Tak multi-purpose sports complex" at the Legislative Council's Public Works Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday. Committee members "mainly focused on a long-term sports policy for Hong Kong, whether the proposed 50,000 seats for the main stadium was suitable, why the land should not instead instead be used for public housing and whether the complex would become a white elephant in Victoria Harbour." It is "not known whether the delay in securing initial funding will impact on the start of construction, while the future of the existing 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium will be reconsidered when the complex is built" (SCMP, 4/22).