Written by 
Stacy Shi
Around 1,000 spectators are expected at the first trial football match at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground on Sunday as its operator urged fans to take the MTR to the venue.
The second division league match between Sai Kung and Wong Tai Sin kicks off at 4.30pm but the venue will be open to the public at 3pm, said George Tsai Kin-pan, sports commissioner of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.
”It is expected that majority of the public will use the MTR’s Tuen Ma Line. Appropriate instructions have been set up inside the station and along the road.”
Sufficient manpower will also be deployed to provide assistance along the road from Exit D of the nearest Sung Wong Toi station to the venue. The sports grounds’ football pitch has been turfed and facilities such as grandstand seats, large LED display screens and toilets have been completed. However, the running track has yet to be finished.
Tang King-shing, strategic planning director of Kai Tak Sports Park, said frequent rains in the past two months have affected the progress of laying materials on the track, which is estimated to be completed next month.
Major construction works have been completed, with the decorations also entering the final stage. Tang said he is confident that all construction work will be completed by the end of the year.
He added that relevant procedures have undergone rigorous testing in collaboration with government departments, including arrangements for ticket checks, security checks and seat-booking for spectators. Takeaway food and beverage services will also be provided.
In terms of transport, Tang said people can also choose to travel a little further to Prince Edward Road East, where they can take more than 50 bus routes on both sides of the Regal Oriental Hotel.
”If there are bigger events in the future, the park will liaise closely with police, MTR and bus operators to ensure crowd-management arrangements are safe and orderly,” he said, adding that introducing specific bus routes is being studied.
Other trial events will also take place at the venue, such as a rugby match with 3,000 spectators next month, to work out any operation kinks.
stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com