The Beautiful Game…
“There is documentary evidence that a game or skill-building exercise, involving kicking a ball into a small net, was used by the Chinese military during the Han Dynasty – around the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC.” The game has come along way since then and you can catch some of the best young talent around, plus a collection of veterans - who’ve been there, done that, got the winners medal and been booked for throwing their shirt into the crowd - at the HKFC Philips Lighting International Soccer Sevens. Among the 32 teams this year are Tottenham, Arsenal – maybe there’ll be a North London derby in Asia? – Celtic, PSV Eindhoven… you can catch all the action in the HK Football Club from 6pm on 25th May and all day (8am-7pm) on the 26-27 May. What: HKFC Philips Lighting International Soccer Sevens When: 25-27 May 2007 Where: HK Football Club, Happy Valley How Much: Free on 25th May, $200 for a weekend pass. Enquiries: 2830 9500 or www.soccer7s.com/teams.html

Bun Race
With the re-commissioning of the Bun Scrambling Competition in 2005, the traditional Cheng Chau Bun Festival is more popular than ever. Islanders cite two origins for the festival - to placate the ghosts of pirates' victims, and to commemorate being saved from a plague 200 years ago. The six-day celebration culminates with a spectacular parade in which youngsters dressed as mythological figures, and held aloft on hidden rods, appear to float above the heads of the crowd. The parade ends at at the bun towers, infront of the temple. Sadly the ‘genuine buns’ of the bun tower will be replaced this year with ‘genuine replica plastic buns’, modelled to the same shape and weight as the genuine ones. What: 2007 Bun Carnival When: midnight 25 May Where: Soccer Pitch of Pak Tai Temple Playground, Cheung Chau How Much: Free Enquiries: www.lcsd.gov.hk/ specials/bun2007/

Asian Rugby
Can Hong Kong overcome the Koreans to grab the no.2 position in Asia behind Japan? Both teams have suffered heavy loses recently to the mighty Japanese, and will be determined to put on a good show. Hong Kong have a new coach in place, and some exciting young players coming through, but it’s been a few years since we’ve had the upper hand against the Koreans...Free entry, refreshments and parking available.
What: Hong Kong v Korea When: Sunday 4pm 27th May, 2007 Where: King’s Park Sports Ground, 11 Wylie Path, Ho Man Tin How Much: Free Enquiries: www.hkrugby.com