Waisale Serevi and Bobby Skinstad headline 2010 event

The GFI Hong Kong Football Club Tens is set to kick off its 25th anniversary year on Wednesday and Thursday, March 24 and 25, 2010. To mark the occasion another world-class lineup of 16 international club, invitational and local teams will be taking the pitch this March. Hong Kong Sevens legend Waisale Serevi and South African Springbok flanker Bobby Skinstad are among the rugby icons already confirmed to line up in Hong Kong this season.

Started in 1986 to celebrate the centenary of one of Asia’s iconic rugby venues, the Hong Kong Football Club, the tournament has earned a reputation as the world’s premier ten-aside competition and the unofficial kick off of rugby week in Hong Kong.

Over the years, the Hong Kong Tens has played host to some of the game’s true legends from the rugby world’s premier test nations including Jonah Lomu, Clive Woodward, Scott Hastings, Graeme Bachop, Neil Jenkins and Brian Lima to name just a few. Headlining this year’s tournament will be Waisale Serevi on his first ever appearance at the Tens.

After establishing his claim to fame at the Hong Kong Sevens, the “little magician” will now seek to cast a spell over his opponents in ten-aside rugby. Serevi will be taking time out from coaching the Papua New Guinea Sevens team to try to establish a new winning record at Sports Road and will appear as a guest player with one of the 16 participating teams battling for the Cup in Happy Valley.

“Hong Kong has been the scene of some of the best moments in my career including lifting two Rugby World Cup Sevens trophies in 1997 and 2005. One of the few disappointments in my long Sevens career in Hong Kong was that I have never been able to play at the GFI HKFC Tens. I look forward to keeping my winning streak alive in Hong Kong and to playing in what is undoubtedly the world’s premier ten-aside event,” said Serevi.

Springbok pin-up Bobby Skinstad is also returning with the Scatterlings of Africa after debuting in the Hong Kong Tens last year.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary with the community, the GFI Hong Kong Football Club Tens is throwing its gates open to the public for free on day one of the tournament (Wednesday, 24 March, 2010). All spectators are welcome, particularly families. A silent auction will also be held with proceeds benefiting ORBIS.

In addition to the world class Tens Rugby action taking place on the pitch, families and tourists in town for Rugby Week can enjoy a host of activities at the ground including a special kids zone over the two days. Local rugby will also feature prominently in the tournament.

Also new this year is the GFI HKFC Tens Player’s Dinner which will be open to the public. Tickets are limited and will be sold on a first come, first served basis to fans on the event days for HK$300.

Admission for the finals day on Thursday 25th March is HK$100.00. Gates open from 10.00am on both days. Public entry to the grounds is via Morrison Hill Road (immediately to the left of the Hong Kong Jockey Club spectator stands).

The 16 participating teams and pools for the GFI Hong Kong Tens 2010 will be announced shortly. For more information on this year’s tournament please visit www.hongkongtens.com.

About the GFI Hong Kong Football Club Tens

The Hong Kong Tens is title sponsored by global cash and derivatives broker GFI. Associate sponsors include Heineken, HSBC and Tsunami. The Hong Kong Tens is presented by the Hong Kong Football Club.

Each year, the Tens attracts excellent teams from around the globe, where some of the stars of tomorrow, and not so yesteryear, compete for the prestigious Cup competition. The 2010 GFI HKFC Tens Tournament consists of 16 teams playing over two-days (24th and 25th March 2010). The first day sees matches in a Round Robin format involving all teams playing the opposing teams within their group. On day two, the rugby gets more intense with a four tiered competition being played based on the results of the first day. The teams are divided into competitions playing for the right to raise the Tens' Cup, Plate, shield or Bowl.

ENDS

Released on behalf of the GFI Hong Kong Tens by Elite Step Asia Limited. For more information, media accreditation or to arrange interviews please contact Sean Moore or Andy Yeung of Elite Step on Sean.moore@elitestep.com and Andy.yeung@elitestep.com(Chinese language).