Zheng, low prices to draw fans at HK showpiece.
Tennis newsWith a number of banking and financial institutions opting not to buy patron’s boxes, organisers of the JB Group Classic have kept public ticket prices at the same level as in previous years to avert further impact on the January showpiece.
China’s Olympic heroine Zheng Jie (pictured) was yesterday unveiled as the latest big name for the tournament as the 12-strong field was finalised. She will join Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova, Wimbledon champ Venus Williams and world number one Jelena Jankovic in the revamped “World Challenge” at Victoria Park from January 7-10.
But, worried the financial crisis could keep the crowds away, organisers yesterday said ticket prices would remain at between $280HK and $680HK per day – the same as in the past three years.
“It is not cheap getting the players and we had intended to increase our ticket prices by 10 per cent,” said co-tournament director Terry Catton. “But at that time the economic crisis had not really hit. We know everyone is going through tough times and we have decided to stick to the same prices for the fourth straight year.”
The credit crunch has been felt by Hong Kong’s premier Tennis event. According to Catton, a number of companies have indicated they would not be returning in January.
“We have lost a few patrons, mostly from the banking and financial sector,” Catton said. “But we are hopeful that we can maintain the level of support we received in the past.”
A total of 124 patron’s boxes are up for grabs at the newly renovated Victoria Park centre court with prices ranging from $130HK,000 for a platinum box which can seat 12 people to $22HK,000 for a six-seater.
Apart from the patrons, the tournament is also supported by a number of sponsors – around 24 – who pay between $350HK,000 to $1HK million to give their brand exposure at an event that is televised around the world. “While ticket income is important, the main revenue comes from our sponsors and the sale of patron’s boxes,” Catton said.
“Part of the money we earn from this event goes towards the development of junior Tennis in Hong Kong. Over the past 30 years or so, we have donated almost $16HK million to the Hong Kong Tennis Foundation.”
Last year organisers gave $200HK,000 to the foundation from the proceeds of the tournament. There are worries that the financial crisis might prevent them from putting anything into the kitty this time.
“We haven’t been able to donate every year. But we hope we can this time,” added an optimistic Catton.
The four-day tournament has been revamped into a team challenge. Team Europe comprises of Jankovic, Agnes Szavay (Hungary) and Michelle Larcher de Brito (Portugal). Sharapova will lead the Russia challenge. Williams heads the Americas, while Zheng, the Wimbledon semi-finalist, will be at the helm of Asia-Pacific alongside Sania Mirza of India and Hong Kong’s Zhang Ling.
Sunday, November 30th, 2008 at 11:00 pm and is filed under Tennis news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
