Cathay Pacific and HSBC restore Hong Kong Sevens co-title sponsorship

Cathay Pacific and HSBC (Hong Kong Shanghai Bank) have signed up as the new co-title sponsors of the world-famous Hong Kong Sevens from 2012 to 2015, the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) has announced.

The four-year sponsorship agreement will see the competition called the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

Both organisations were joint sponsors of the Hong Kong Sevens from 1980 through to the first of two Rugby World Cup Sevens events staged in Hong Kong in 1997. After 1997 other sponsors backed the event.

HKRFU Chairman Trevor Gregory said the income from the sponsorship would help to "grow and expand" the tournament, stating "HSBC and Cathay Pacific are synonymous with Hong Kong and like the Hong Kong Sevens do much to represent Hong Kong around the world.

"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."

Cathay Pacific has been involved as a commercial supporter of the Hong Kong Sevens for three decades, while HSBC's renewed interest extends its growing support of Sevens internationally. The bank already sponsors the Sevens World Series.

Rugby Sevens will make its debut on Olympic program at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016, with the event tipped to enhance the global popularity of the sport.

The next edition of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens will take place on from 23rd to 25th March 2012.

9th September 2010 - HONG KONG BLEDISLOE CUP WILL GO AHEAD