兩位傳奇球星撒力菲、甘比斯重臨香港大球場 助力「國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽2024」
SEREVI AND CAMPO RETURN TO HONG KONG STADIUM FOR 2024 CATHAY/HSBC HONG KONG SEVENS
[香港，2024年3月6日]: 「國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽2024」即將迎來在香港大球場舉辦30周年。為紀念這個歷史時刻，「香港七欖」邀請兩位歷屆「Magnificent 7」最優秀的球員，包括來自斐濟的傳奇球星撒力菲（Waisale Serevi）及澳洲的甘比斯（David Campese）於4月5至7日重臨舊地。
這兩位香港國際七人欖球賽的標誌性人物曾於2015年獲球迷選為歷屆最佳賽事成員，他們將率領「國泰/滙豐香港國際七人欖球賽」大使團，在今年4月的七欖周期間與球迷互動。
撒力菲與香港大球場有著千絲萬縷的關係。他在1989年首次亮相香港國際七人欖球賽，甫一亮相就展示了驚人的球技，他「小魔術師」的綽號也牢牢地烙印在球迷心中。1997年及2005年這兩屆在香港舉行的世界盃，撒力菲帶領球隊在香港大球場兩奪冠軍，他最終於2013年在香港這福地登上世界欖球名人堂。
同樣令球迷津津樂道的還有澳洲傳奇甘比斯。他曾12度亮相香港國際七人欖球賽，每一次都令香港球迷讚嘆不已。他在80年代曾協助澳洲隊創造輝煌歷史，在七年間贏得四個盃賽冠軍。甘比斯憑出色的速度和天賦，在側翼所向披靡，其著名的「步兵操」招牌動作，無不令球迷拍案叫絕、令對手無計可施。甘比斯為國家披甲101次，取得64次達陣，他是澳洲勳章成員，並入選世界欖球名人堂。
今屆香港國際七人欖球賽大使團成員還包括前新西蘭七人欖球隊隊長科比斯（DJ Forbes）。他於2008年獲世界欖球總會頒發國際七人欖球年度最佳球員大獎。這位隊長成績斐然，曾六奪世界七人欖球系列賽冠軍殊榮，他的同胞文尼爾（Huriana Manuel）作為七人欖球及十五人欖球雙料國手，也會現身香港大球場。
今年應邀訪港的欖球界名人還包括一眾來自北半球的明星球員，有前英格蘭國腳艾芳絲（Maggie Alphonsi MBE）。她可以說是女子欖球界的先驅，曾連續七次贏得六國欖球賽的后冠，是女子隊際運動中最知名的女將之一；來自威爾斯的羅拔斯（Jamie Roberts）曾三奪六國賽冠軍及兩奪大滿貫錦標；訪港名單還有法國勾球前鋒基撒（Benjamin Kayser），他小時候曾跟家人短暫旅居香港，在香港大球場舉行的國際七人欖球賽曾做過小球僮，在場邊「執波」，他對欖球的熱愛可以說是源於香港。同樣跟香港結下不解緣的是在香港出世的前蘇格蘭隊長巴克萊（John Barclay）。
前英格蘭國家隊球星哈斯高（James Haskell）退役後成為DJ，他將重返香港大球場與眾同樂，在開幕之夜在球場舞台展示他的DJ技巧；在過去10年，James一直以DJ身份進行表演，曾在著名的Ministry of Sound及Ibiza Rocks等場所演出。
一支由國際級巨星組成的隊伍需要本地球星領軍。這任務交由前香港女子七人欖球及十五人欖球隊隊長鄭家慈負責，她將是這支團隊強而有力的支柱。
為慶祝香港國際七人欖球賽在標誌性的香港大球場舉辦第30周年，上述這一眾受人敬重的球壇翹楚將在整個七欖周末與球迷有眾多互動，為活動增添星光和激情。
門票在官方網站有售：www.hksevens.com
三日門票的持票人可觀賞30支世界級勁旅上演共74場精彩的七人欖球賽，期間更可享受兩小時的星級現場音樂表演，以及一連三日無間斷的娛樂活動。欖球界的最大型派對門票只需港幣1,950元。12歲或以下的兒童可購買兒童票，票價為港幣950元。兒童門票先到先得。
資料及相片來源 : Elite Step Asia Limited / Hong Kong Sevens
[Hong Kong, 6 March 2024]: Marking 30 years inside the Hong Kong Stadium in 2024, the Cathay / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024 is set to welcome two of the tournament’s all-time “Magnificent 7” team members back to their old stomping grounds from 5-7 April in Fiji’s Waisale Serevi and Australia’s David Campese.
The two Hong Kong Sevens icons and were voted into the all-time tournament team by the fans in 2015 and will headline a team of Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens ambassadors set to engage with fans in and around rugby week this April.
Serevi is inextricably linked with the Hong Kong Stadium, where he first established his outrageous play-making ability and cemented his little magician sobriquet on his Hong Kong Sevens debut in 1989, before winning two Rugby World Cup Sevens tournaments hosted in Hong Kong in 1997 and 2005, and finally being inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame right here at this ground in 2013.
One of the all-time greats, David ‘Campo’ Campese thrilled the crowds here on 12 occasions, helping to fuel Australia’s historic run during the 1980s, when they won four cups in seven years. His famed goosestep left fans in Hong Kong speechless and flummoxed defenders worldwide, with Campo notching 64 tries from 101 tests for the Wallabies. He is a Member of the Order of Australia and an inductee into the World Ruby Hall of Fame.
Also appearing are 2008 World Rugby International Sevens Player of the year, former New Zealand Sevens captain and the winner of six World Rugby Sevens Series titles, DJ Forbes, and dual 7s and 15s international for New Zealand Huriana Manuel.
The line-up also features a bevy of Northern Hemisphere stars in ex-England international Maggie Alphonsi MBE, a pioneer of female representation in rugby; Welsh rugby star Jamie Roberts with three Six Nations titles and two Grand Slam titles to his credit; Benjamin Kayser, a French hooker who learned his rugby in Hong Kong before going to play professionally; Hong Kong-born former Scotland rugby captain John Barclay; and English rugby stalwart James Haskell, who will showcase his DJ skills as he takes the stage on the opening night of the Sevens. James has been performing as a DJ for much of the past decade, headlining venues including Ministry of Sound and Ibiza Rocks.
As always, a team full of international stars will need local nous and leadership, which will be ably provided by Hong Kong’s own former 7s and 15s captain, Christy Cheng.
These esteemed players and former players will mingle with fans in the stadium throughout the weekend, adding star power and excitement to the event in celebration of 30 years of the Sevens at the iconic Hong Kong Stadium.
Tickets are available via the official website at www.hksevens.com.
An adult three-day ticket includes 74 matches of scintillating sevens action from 30 world class teams, two hours of world-class live music, and three non-stop days of entertainment at rugby’s biggest party all for just HKD1,950.00. Children’s tickets for fans aged 12 and under are available on a first come, first served basis at HKD950.00.
Information and Photo source : Elite Step Asia Limited / Hong Kong Sevens
