Pets, padel, lots of beer: bold plan to liven up football matches in Hong Kong

Bold newcomers Eastern District have pledged to inject some pizazz into the staid Hong Kong Premier League fan experience.

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Club chiefs have also embarked on an ambitious recruitment drive under director of football Alex Chu Chi-kwong, the decorated ex-Kitchee boss, as they aim to quickly establish a firm top-flight footing.

The army of new signings have been told to expect a “carnival atmosphere” for home matches at the near 12,000-capacity Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground.

“We want to try something different, nobody knows if it’ll succeed or fail, but if you don’t try you will definitely fail,” Goldbert Ko Chi-chiu, the club’s vice-chairman, said.

Ko and his colleagues are negotiating with stadium operators, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), for extensive match day access.

Brazilian defender Matheus Favali trains with Eastern District shortly after his summer transfer from FC Dornbirn in Austria. Photo: Handout

“We’ll have game booths, padel courts and other sports for people to play from about two hours before kick-off,” Ko said. “The LCSD and local football association are supporting us, we serve the community and together we’ll make a bigger picture.”

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