Dragons, robots light up HK Sevens opening ceremony

The 50th annual Hong Kong Sevens kicked off in spectacular fashion on Friday evening at Kai Tak Stadium, where a dazzling dragon dance and cheerleading robots took centre stage during the opening ceremony. Following a full day of pool matches, the milestone anniversary celebration got underway with a creative blend of tradition and innovation. Organised by the Tourism Board, the ceremony aimed to reinforce Hong Kong’s status as the events capital of Asia. The festivities began with a striking dragon dance performance, where five dragons wove across the pitch before coming together to form the number 50 - a tribute to the tournament’s golden anniversary. Officiating the eye-dotting ceremony were Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law, Tourism Board chairman Peter Lam, Hong Kong Sevens ambassador and former Fijian rugby star Waisale Serevi and former Australian rugby player Michael Hooper. The entertainment then took a futuristic turn, as dancing robots performed alongside a cheerleading squad. “The robots’ performance was truly fun and full of energy. I hope local and visiting fans will come together this weekend to join the Hong Kong Sevens party,” Law said. This was followed by a laser projection show highlighting the regions and countries that have participated over the years, along with the names of legendary Sevens players. The evening concluded on a high note with performances by a K-pop girl group and a Filipino singer. “Over the past half-century, the Hong Kong Sevens has witnessed the development of rugby in Hong Kong, while also becoming a major annual international sporting event that draws worldwide attention, successfully attracting visitors from around the world to be part of it,” Peter Lam said. Edited by Priscilla Ng