Building Security, Command & Control, Emergency Comms

Hong Kong Sevens successful with new security measures

By Jianggan Li | 30 March 2009

The security measures ensured that this year’s Hong Kong Sevens, a rugby tournament held in Hong Kong annually since 1976, was a success.

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Apart from a spate of pitch invasions on Sunday, last of the three days of the tournament, everything went smoothly. The spectators seemed to have enjoyed most of these invasions, though the people and security guards did not find it that amusing. Players from Portugal and members of the media helped apprehend some of the invaders, who were mostly younger and seemed more agile than the security personnel.

“The service on the pitch invasions was a little bit helpless. We thought we’d improved the system, but we will have to work again to make sure it’s much, much, much better,’ local newspapers quoted Alan Payne, Executive Director of Hong Kong Rugy Football Union (HKRFU), as saying.

A firework was thrown into the pitch near the end, which was quickly doused off by the security and the police. Slight smoke was visible from the pitch.

The HKRFU’s decision to ban jugs of beer from the South Stand was also deemed a success.

South Stand is famous for fans dressed in various costumes and consuming lots of alcoholic beverages. Throwing empty beer jugs from the South Stand was common in previous games, which was deemed as a danger to players and the referee on the pitch.

Among other security measures implemented at the South Stand, the HKRFU also banned under-18s from entering.

Both moves have worked, without causing much upheaval from the fans.

Measures were taken to ensure that security personnel deployed in the stadium are not zealous rugby fans. According to an insider, much personal interest in the sport could hinder the effectiveness of security people in spotting and responding to incidents, as their attention might be drawn by happenings on the pitch instead of their duty.

For spectators who wished to leave the stadium temporarily, a re-entry ticket was issued which had to be presented together with the tournament ticket to regain access to the stadium later on. It is believed that the option of forearm stamp was dropped out as some people might be allergic to the chemicals used in the stamp. In addition, disputes could arise if a person claimed to have washed off the stamp accidentally in the bathroom.

Police officers were deployed to major junctions and along the main road leading to Hong Kong Stadium to make sure that the traffic and crowds flow smoothly.

The only major incident happened before the start of the tournament. A brawl involving more than 50 people was broken up by police with batons and pepper spray, reported the local media.

Players in a variety of team colours and security staff were linked to the fight. Paula Maisiri, a former Fijian player was charged with physically assaulting an unarmed police officer and fined HK$ 500 (US$ 64).

Over the course of the three days, spectators consumed around 225,000 pints of beer, 60,000 glasses of Pimms, 40,000 cans of soft drinks, 10,000 glasses of wine, 600 flutes of champagne. It was a successful, and safe, tournament.