| Mong Kok Stadium | |
|---|---|
| Flower Market or Fa Hui | |
| Location | Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong |
| Opened | 1961 |
| Renovated | 2011[1] |
| Owner | Leisure and Cultural Services Department |
| Operator | Leisure and Cultural Services Department |
| Surface | Grass |
| Capacity | 6,664 |
| Field dimensions | 105m X 67m[1] |
| Tenants | |
| Citizen (2011-) Sun Hei (2011-) |
|
Mong Kok Stadium (Chinese: 旺角大球場) is a stadium on Flower Market Road, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong. With capacity of 8,500, the venue hosts Hong Kong First Division League matches, a football (soccer) league in Hong Kong. The stadium is currently run by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong.
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On 15 April 2007, South China played to a 1-1 draw with Kitchee in the penultimate game of the Hong Kong Football League season at Mongkok Stadium. The game attracted a full house of over 8,500 spectators, the first full house for 11 years for a Hong Kong League game at Mongkok Stadium.
From Autumn 2009, Mongkok Stadium will undergo a series of modifications, including the addition of a roof, close-circuit televisions, refurbishment of the seats, better lighting, refurbishment of the changing rooms, adding a press room and doping rooms, while the stadium's capacity will be reduced to 6,680. The work is expected to be complete by October 2011. [2] Three First Division clubs - Citizen, Fourway Rangers and Sun Hei - have asked to use the stadium as their home ground. But it is believed that the owner of the facility, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, has reservations over the number of clubs using it. Vincent Yuen Man-chuen, general secretary of the HKFA, said they had submitted a proposal to use the stadium as the home ground for three clubs. "We are in the process of negotiation with the government," said Yuen. "There were more than a hundred matches a season held [there] before, but the number can be reduced to half if three teams use it for their home matches plus some major cup competitions."[3] There is currently doubt that the new Mong Kok Stadium will be ready for use in October.[4]
On 16 October 2011, the renovated Mong Kok Stadium re-opened. The first match is the 2011-12 Hong Kong First Division League match between Sun Hei and Sham Shui Po SA. 4,499 fans attended the game. Sun Hei won the game 5-0, Sun Hei players Cheng Siu Wai is the first player to score a goal; while Barry is the first player to score a hat-trick at the newly renovated stadium.[5]
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing attended Mong Kok Stadium's official re-opening ceremony. To celebrate the re-opening of the stadium, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department organised a ceremony for 15 November 2011 and invited the Russian National Youth Team for a friendly football match with the Hong Kong Youth Representative Team. A sport towel, a limited edition souvenir specially produced to celebrate the re-opening of the stadium, was distributed to each attendee to make this meaningful day more memorable. There were also performances including rhythmic drumming with flag waving, and wushu and a lion dance, showing a unique Chinese flavour. The ceremony also featured impressive performances by cheering teams and the Hong Kong Police Band.[6]
Hong Kong Rugby Football Union chairman Trevor Gregory said he was exploring the possibility of using the stadium to host HSBC Asian Five Nations (A5N) home games. Hong Kong played both their A5N rugby games in front of full houses at the 2,500-capacity Hong Kong Football Club this season. A move to Mong Kok, with its new capacity of 6,650, appeals, admitted HKRFU's Gregory. "Our initial thoughts are to play our international fixtures in the A5N at Mong Kok Stadium. At the moment we have no plans to hold any domestic games there," Gregory said.[7]
It is accessible from the Prince Edward Station of the MTR on the Tsuen Wan Line and Kwun Tong lines. It is also near Mong Kok East Station on the East Rail Line (former KCR East Rail).
Other sports stadiums and venues in Hong Kong:
| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Unknown Bangkok |
AFC Women's Championship Final Venue 1986 |
Succeeded by Itself |
| Preceded by Itself |
AFC Women's Championship Final Venue 1989 |
Succeeded by Hakatanomori Athletic Stadium Fukuoka |
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