The returfing of the football pitch at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium’s was completed recently, after two gigs by K-POP group Seventeen held there last month caused “extensive” damage to the pitch, and the cost of repairs was fully borne by the concert organiser, Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun told reporters yesterday.
Pun made the remarks during a media briefing after a closed-door regular meeting of the government-appointed Sports Committee, of which he is vice-chairman, at the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion yesterday.
The two gigs, which reportedly attracted about 40,000 fans, were held on January 13-14.
Pun said the bureau will completely restore the lawn in accordance with the requirements and standards of the bureau. When asked about the exact cost and duration of the restoration, Pun said the concert organiser had not yet been asked to submit a specific amount that a spent on the restoration.
Pun also said that the final restoration work such as pitch levelling was still underway, adding that bureau officials are monitoring the work every day. He also said that it would still take some time before the bureau could finally issue an acceptance certificate on the whole project.
Pun also said that preparations for hosting the 15th National Games in Macau are underway, and that the bureau plans to hold two to three test events this year, such as table tennis games, to test reception capacity and review possible shortcomings and make improvements for the actual operation.
When asked about the bureau’s subsidies granted to the city’s various sporting associations for organising or participating in sporting competitions or other events, Pun said that the bureau had reviewed and improved the bureau’s various funding schemes, with subsidising 50 percent of the cost for regional events, 70 percent for international competitions, and 80 percent for Asian or world competitions.
Pun said the bureau would require national sports associations to submit more standardised documents so that strict examination of all applications can be made.
Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun briefs reporters after yesterday’s closed-door Sports Committee regular meeting at the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion yesterday. – Ginnie Liang
