Authorities say noise pollution no reason for ejecting snooker fans during match, after claims by Kai Tak Sports Park CEO
Hong Kong Free Press
Hong Kong environmental authorities have ruled out noise pollution concerns as the reason why snooker fans were kicked out of the Kai Tak Sports Park before a match concluded earlier this month.
Citing its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the newly opened flagship sports venue, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said in a statement on Sunday that it had not imposed “any restrictions on the operating hours of events held at the Kai Tak Arena, nor have they placed any limitations on activities extending beyond midnight.”
In regards to inquiries about why guests were asked to leave the venue during the March 4 match, the sports park’s CEO John Sharkey had said that events held at the arena have to comply with the EIA report and cooperate with departments including the police and the Transport Department, Ming Pao reported on Sunday.
However, the EPD’s statement contradicted Sharkey’s explanation: “Events held at the Kai Tak Arena (including sports events or music performances) are conducted indoors with central air conditioning… Therefore, the assessment in the EIA report concluded that noise levels would not exceed the limits.”
The EPD also said that it conducted noise measurements near the venue during rehearsal concerts and that results showed the noise reduction facilities installed at the venue were “effective” and met the performance expectations outlined in the EIA report, “with noise levels complying with legal standards.”
Kai Tak Sports Park did not reply to HKFP inquiries on March 5 regarding the reasons why audience members were asked to leave.
‘Deeply unsatisfactory’
Spectators were told to leave the Kai Tak Arena midway through a World Grand Prix match between English snooker players Kyren Wilson and Matthew Selt on March 4.
The snooker championship was the first major international event held at the 10,000-seat arena.
Pictures circulating online showed a video screen displaying an English and Chinese announcement. “Due to local curfew rules in place for the venue it has to clear of the public by midnight,” it partly said in English.
The World Snooker Tour, which organised the event, issued a statement confirming that some spectators were asked to leave early and that they “sincerely apologise” for the situation.
The following day, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law said the request for fans to leave early was “deeply unsatisfactory,” demanding that organisers and the venue make sure fans can finish watching the games during the remainder of the competition.
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