Cathay Pacific and HSBC resume co-title sponsorship of the Hong Kong Sevens for first time since 1997
The four-year sponsorship agreement announced today resumes a successful partnership between these two iconic Hong Kong institutions and the world’s pre-eminent international sevens. Under the new sponsorship agreement the event title will be the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.
Attending today’s announcement at Olympic House in Hong Kong were Mr John Slosar, Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific Airways, Mr Stuart Gulliver, Group Chief Executive of HSBC Holdings plc, Mr Brian Stevenson, President of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union and Mr Trevor Gregory, Chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union.
Cathay Pacific and HSBC’s previous joint sponsorship of the Hong Kong Sevens ran from 1980 through to the first of two Rugby World Cup Sevens held in Hong Kong in 1997.
Mr Trevor Gregory, Chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union commented on the title sponsorship saying, "The HKRFU is delighted to partner with two iconic Hong Kong institutions for what is undoubtedly the world’s iconic sevens event. HSBC and Cathay Pacific are synonymous with Hong Kong and like the Hong Kong Sevens do much to represent Hong Kong around the world.
"With the support of Cathay Pacific and HSBC, the HKRFU will be able to continue our efforts to grow and expand the Hong Kong Sevens. The continued success and profile of the Hong Kong Sevens also provides vital awareness and funding for the HKRFU to further expand our efforts to develop rugby at all levels of our community."
The continued involvement of Cathay Pacific as an event sponsor strengthens a 30-year association with the Hong Kong Sevens – a unique longevity in international sports sponsorship.
Mr John Slosar, Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific Airways commented on the announcement saying, "Cathay Pacific has had a long and happy association with the Sevens. We were there right at the beginning when the Sevens was born in 1976. And we are still supporting the Sevens some 36 years later. As Hong Kong's airline, we believed in the Sevens from the start, just as we believe that Hong Kong provides the energy and sparkle that make the Sevens the unique and wonderful event that it is.
"It's great to see two of Hong Kong’s world-beating brands - both so closely associated with the city - once again linked to this world-beating sports spectacular. Backed by the power of Hong Kong's two biggest international brands I believe we'll see the Hong Kong Sevens soar to new heights."
HSBC’s sponsorship of the Hong Kong Sevens continues its growing support of Sevens internationally through the HSBC Sevens World Series and marks its only title sponsorship of an HSBC Sevens World Series event to date.
Mr Stuart Gulliver, Group Chief Executive of HSBC Holdings plc, said, "We are absolutely delighted that HSBC will once again partner the Hong Kong Sevens.
"The bank’s heritage here in Hong Kong, and our historic long-term investment in rugby around the world, means that this sponsorship is a fantastic addition to our international rugby portfolio. We will work in partnership with the HKRFU to use the profile and interest in the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens to grow and develop the sport here in the Hong Kong community, as well as more broadly across Asia and the rest of the world.
"This is an extremely exciting and proud day for everyone at HSBC. We look forward to working in partnership with Cathay Pacific and the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union to ensure the tournament remains Hong Kong’s flagship sporting event, and one of the highlights of the city’s calendar for years to come."
The Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2012 will be held on 23-25 March.
About the Hong Kong Sevens
First established in 1976 and organised by the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, the Hong Kong Sevens is the world’s premier international sevens event, marking its 36th year in 2011. In 1999, the Hong Kong Sevens became a part of the International Rugby Board’s World Sevens Series. To date, it is the only HSBC Sevens World Series event to host 24 international teams and offers more series points for the champions than any other tournament, along with the largest prize purse in international sevens (USD 150,000). The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union is the only international rugby union to have hosted two Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1997 and 2005. Each year over 120,000 cumulative visitors attend the Hong Kong Sevens, with nearly 50% of these coming from overseas to attend the event.
About Cathay Pacific Airways
Cathay Pacific Airways is a Hong Kong-based airline offering scheduled passenger and cargo services to some 140 destinations using a fleet of 128 wide-body aircraft. The company is a member of the Swire group and is a public company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Dragonair is a wholly owned subsidiary and Cathay Pacific also has a 60% stake in all-cargo carrier AHK Air Hong Kong Ltd. Cathay Pacific has made substantial investments to develop Hong Kong as one of the world's leading global transportation hubs. The airline is a founder member of the oneworld global alliance.
About HSBC Holdings plc
HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 7,500 offices in 87 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$2,598bn at 31 March 2011, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as ‘the world’s local bank’.
