Cathay Pacific and HSBC Resume As Co-Sponsors of Hong Kong Sevens

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union have secured Cathay Pacific and HSBC as new co-title sponsors of the world-famous Hong Kong Sevens from 2012-2015.

The four-year sponsorship agreement announced today resumes a successful partnership between these two Hong Kong institutions and the international sevens. Under the new sponsorship agreement the event title will be the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

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, said: “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”

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, commented: “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.

The Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2012 will be held on 23-25 March.