Speech by SCST at Closing Panel of World Football Summit Hong Kong 2025
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the Closing Panel of the World Football Summit Hong Kong 2025 today (September 4):
Mr Jan Alessie (Co-founder and Managing Director of the World Football Summit), Eric (Chairman of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China, Mr Eric Fok), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon, and it is my great pleasure to finally join you at this Closing Panel of the World Football Summit. I actually came back from Beijing late last night to make myself available for at least the closing part of this important summit, which is a fitting final act of a thrilling international football season or football summer here in Hong Kong. So allow me to say really more than a few words, because this is the only opportunity that I can speak to such a distinguished audience. Let me first extend my very warmest welcome to all influential football stakeholders who gathered here for the first time in Hong Kong to share insightful views on trends in the global football industry. I hope everyone had fruitful and rewarding exchanges at the two-day Summit, filled with multiple panels on a wide range of topics.
Asia stands today as the world's largest and fastest-growing football market, driven by large fan bases and rapidly expanding sponsorship opportunities. Over the last two days, many useful exchanges should have taken place on how such positive features could be utilised to better shape the future of football in Asia, both commercially and in terms of elevating the standard and quality of football in this part of the world. In this connection, I trust you also have had a glimpse of why Hong Kong stands out in Asia as holding the keys to football's regional future. But do please allow me to share a few of my views on the strengths of Hong Kong and our collective offering.
First, Hong Kong has the infrastructure. The Kai Tak Sports Park, the US$4-billion, largest-ever sports and entertainment infrastructure that the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government has ever invested in, was commissioned officially in March this year. Some of you, such as friends from Tottenham Hotspur who played at Kai Tak Stadium just five weeks ago, and if, on top of football you are also rugby fans, you would have already experienced the state-of-the-art high-tech hardware in this 50 000-strong capacity Stadium. From what I have heard thus far from the teams that have played in the Stadium, reviews on Kai Tak Stadium since its debut have been very positive.
In just seven months since its commissioning, we have already hosted matches including Liverpool (FC), Arsenal and Spurs from the English Premier League, AC Milan from Serie A and the India national team. At the risk of "over-marketing", Kai Tak Stadium is an all-weather, fully air-conditioned venue, which you would especially appreciate over Hong Kong's very hot summer.
In addition to Kai Tak Stadium, the 40 000-seat Hong Kong Stadium, which some of you may have visited in the past, has also played host to a number of important football matches this year. The annual Guangdong - Hong Kong Cup and Chinese New Year Cup featuring Legends from major European leagues in the first quarter of 2025; Manchester United, my favourite but struggling team, versus the Hong Kong, China Representative Team in May; and the series of exciting games of Saudi Super Cup in August, all took place at Hong Kong Stadium, which might be less eye-catching technology-wise, but more than compensated for its nostalgic value and central location of being only a few steps away from the bustling Causeway Bay and Wan Chai area.
Together, these two large-scale venues now provide the perfect conditions for Hong Kong to serve as a launchpad of Asia's football development.
Second, Hong Kong has the market. Located at the centre of Asia, where the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is home to more than 87 million people, where the rest of China and most East and Southeast Asian countries, which are home to half of the world's population, are within hours' flight time, and where more direct flights from locations, such as Riyadh, to Hong Kong are now in operation, Hong Kong has a unique global appeal to Asian markets in the world of premium international football. With our proximity to the Mainland of China, which has the largest football fan base in the world, Hong Kong is a natural gateway for clubs, federations and investors seeking collaboration opportunities across the Mainland market. And if you have just joined one of the games I mentioned just now, you will testify to the electrifying atmosphere, created by our civilised, but raving at all times fans, and agree with me that it is like the best party in the world.
On top of the games themselves, Hong Kong's world-class tourism infrastructure, featuring a wide range of luxurious to value-for-money hotels, diverse dining options at different price points, and one of the most efficient transportation systems in the world, provides the ideal environment for hosting large-scale football events that can, most important of all, draw regional and international visitors, but also an attractive vacation destination for players, staff and their families.
Now let the numbers speak for themselves. The depth and breadth of our market is best showcased by the popularity of the several key football matches held in Hong Kong this year. The first-ever overseas North London Derby, featuring Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, held in Hong Kong on July 31, attracted a record-breaking attendance of 49 975. The series of matches in the Saudi Super Cup, which is a relatively new brand for fans in this part of the world, has achieved an aggregated attendance of over 80 000; a great number of them are actually fans from the Middle East and elsewhere.
Hong Kong's third point of strength lies with our proven expertise in organising international matches and mega events. Eric, our Chairman of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China, will of course be even better placed to share with you the experts and professionals we possess in Hong Kong. But I believe I will sound convincing enough when I point you to the consecutive successes of all the important football matches in Hong Kong that are staged this year and the wonderful reports, social media posts and photos that accompanied these matches.
Last but not least, I should state to you clearly the commitment of the Hong Kong SAR Government in supporting football development. We invest in venues. We invest in youth training. We also invest in cultivating spectators. The solid partnership between the Government and HKFA (Football Association of Hong Kong, China) under Eric's leadership provides a super-effective platform for the football industry to thrive.
Ladies and gentlemen, I can go on to talk more, such as about broadcast innovation, advanced technologies, live-streaming platforms, etc, which of course adds a lot of value to driving football development in Hong Kong and elsewhere. But you need to just take away these important points, and remember Hong Kong's world-class infrastructure, huge international market, our proven capability and the positive attitude and commitment of the Hong Kong SAR Government. Joining our hands together, we will shape the future and drive the growth of football as both a sport and an industry in Asia.
On this note, I thank you all for joining us at this rewarding Summit and wish you an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong.
Thank you.
Source: AI-found images
DH reminds public to be vigilant about infectious diseases when travelling during summer holidays
As the summer holidays are approaching, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 27) reminded members of the public planning to travel outside Hong Kong to visit the DH's Travel Health Service webpage before departure to learn about the infectious disease situations in other regions and take appropriate precautions. They should also pay attention to personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times, and ensure they have received necessary vaccinations in advance to prevent various common or travel-related infectious diseases.
Measles
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Measles outbreaks have persisted in many regions around the world since last year. North America (including the United States, Canada and Mexico) and Southeast Asia (including Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines) have experienced ongoing measles outbreaks due to low vaccination coverage in recent years. Over 2 100 cases have been recorded in the United States so far this year, a figure significantly higher than the same period last year. In Europe, the number of measles cases in the United Kingdom and Spain has increased this year, with 736 and 136 cases recorded respectively since January. In Asia, the incidence rate of measles remains at a high level in the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Cambodia. Japan has also seen a significant rise in cases this year, with 529 cases recorded as of June 17, surpassing last year's total of 265 cases and marking the highest record since 2019. Singapore and Australia have reported 39 and 106 measles cases respectively this year, which are also higher than the same period last year. Most of the overseas cases involved individuals who were not vaccinated against measles or had an unknown vaccination status, highlighting the importance of maintaining a high vaccination rate and herd immunity within the community.
Anyone planning to travel to regions experiencing measles outbreaks or where measles is prevalent should check their vaccination records and medical history well in advance. Those who have never been diagnosed with measles through laboratory tests and who have not received two doses of the measles vaccine, or who are unsure whether they have received two doses, should consult a doctor about vaccination at least two weeks before departure. Pregnant women and women preparing for pregnancy who are not immune to measles or rubella, as well as children under one year old, who are not due for the first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella combined vaccine under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, are advised not to travel to destinations experiencing measles or rubella outbreaks.
The incubation period of measles is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If travellers returning from places with a high incidence or outbreaks of measles develop symptoms of measles, they should wear a surgical mask, stay home from work or school, avoid crowded places and avoid contact with people without immunity, especially those with weak immune systems, pregnant women and children under one year old, and seek medical advice immediately.
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)
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HFMD is a common disease in children caused by enteroviruses such as Coxsackie viruses. Since this May, there has been a seasonal increase in the activity of HFMD in neighbouring regions, including Guangdong Province of the Chinese Mainland, Japan and Korea.
Most HFMD patients have mild symptoms. The initial stage of the illness is usually marked by a fever, poor appetite, tiredness and sore throat. One to two days after the onset of fever, painful sores may appear in the mouth, which then develop into ulcers. Patients generally recover on their own in seven to 10 days.
To prevent HFMD, members of the public should keep hands clean and wash their hands properly. Wash hands before meals, after using the toilet, when hands are soiled by respiratory secretions (such as after sneezing) or after handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials. It is also important to cover the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and to dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly. As alcohol is not effective in killing some viruses that cause HFMD, alcohol-based handrub should not substitute hand hygiene with liquid soap and water.
Mosquito-borne diseases
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Mosquito-borne diseases continue to spread in many regions worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of dengue fever (DF) has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024 and 2025 (January to July), the WHO recorded over 14 million cases and 4 million cases respectively. DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tropical and sub-tropical tourist destinations, particularly in Southeast Asian countries. Last year, Indonesia and Vietnam each recorded over 120000 cases, while Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka each recorded over 50000 cases. Singapore recorded more than 4000 cases.
Regarding chikungunya fever (CF), more than 40 countries and regions worldwide, including those in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe, recorded a total of at least 500 000 CF cases and 186 associated deaths in 2025. According to the WHO's risk assessment, as there were ongoing CF outbreaks worldwide in 2025, the risk to the global public health posed by the transmission of CF is moderate.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 23 DF cases (comprising 21 imported cases and two local cases) and two imported CF cases so far this year.
To prevent mosquito-borne diseases when travelling abroad, the public should wear loose, light-coloured and long-sleeved tops and trousers, and apply DEET-containing insect repellent to exposed parts of the body and clothing. If both insect repellent and sunscreen are used, apply insect repellent after sunscreen, and avoid using fragrant cosmetics or skin care products. Members of the public planning to travel outside Hong Kong should be aware of the mosquito-borne disease situation at their destination and take proper mosquito prevention measures. Upon returning to Hong Kong from affected areas, they should continue to use insect repellent for at least 14days after arrival.
Ebola disease
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The WHO announced on May 17 this year that an Ebola disease outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus had occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda in Africa, which constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. On the same day, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government activated the Alert Response Level, the lowest under the three-tiered response in the Preparedness and Response Plan for Ebola Virus Disease, to safeguard public health. Based on public health considerations, the HKSAR Government also issued a Red Outbound Travel Alert for the DRC on May 21 and urged Hong Kong residents to avoid non-essential travel there.
The outbreak in the DRC continues to grow in scale, affecting the rovinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. As of June 23, the DRC has recorded 1 094 confirmed cases and 277 deaths. There are currently no approved and specific therapeutics or vaccines for the Bundibugyo virus. In addition, local conflicts have led to large-scale population movements, which increase the risk of the outbreak spreading.
To prevent Ebola disease, the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times when travelling abroad. They should wash their hands with liquid soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub before touching their eyes, nose or mouth; avoid contact with animals and people showing symptoms; and ensure that food is thoroughly cooked before consumption. Members of the public who have visited the affected areas should, upon arrival in Hong Kong, proactively declare their travel history to the Port Health Division officers of the CHP stationed at the boundary control points to facilitate a health assessment. If any suspicious symptoms develop after returning to Hong Kong, they should seek medical attention immediately and inform the doctor of their travel history.
For more information on infectious disease outbreaks and preventive measures around the world, please visit the DH's Travel Health Service webpage.
Source: AI-found images
