AI Weighs In: Kai Tak Sports Park Snooker Controversy and “Raising a Child” Excuse
Image Credit: Alex Lion | Splash
Hong Kong’s newly opened sports venue at Kai Tak made headlines when a major snooker event unexpectedly overran its schedule, leading to spectators being asked to leave midway. In response, a senior government official used a “raising a child” analogy to explain the government’s relationship with the sports park. This explanation, however, has triggered significant debate over whether the remarks are an apt portrayal of collaborative governance—or a convenient excuse for poor management.
To gain an AI perspective, we asked OpenAI ChatGPT o1 to comment on the analogy.
Screenshot from OpenAI ChatGPT o1 commenting on the Hong Kong government’s “raising a child” analogy for event management.
Background: New Venue, Old Expectations
The Kai Tak Sports Park, constructed with HK$30 billion in public funding, was promoted as a world-class venue for hosting international sporting and entertainment events. Its first major tournament—the World Grand Prix 2025, an international snooker competition held on March 4-9, 2025—was marred by controversy when some spectators were asked to leave midway through a match on March 4 due to the event overrunning its scheduled time slot. This abrupt move by on-site staff led to public disappointment and criticism.
Prior to the incident, government officials had expressed confidence in the venue’s ability to host major events, though specific assurances about handling overtime scenarios were not widely documented. The disruption raised concerns over whether proper contingency plans were in place for managing high-profile events at the new facility, especially when compared to established venues like the Hong Kong Coliseum.
[Read More: Hong Kong’s AI Development: Opportunities and Challenges Amid Geopolitical Shifts]
Screenshot from OpenAI ChatGPT o1 commenting on the Hong Kong government’s “raising a child” analogy for event management.
Government’s “Raising a Child” Analogy
Rosanna Law, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, reportedly likened the government’s relationship with Kai Tak Sports Park to “raising a child”, stating that despite significant investment sparking operational concerns, “you can’t keep holding its hand forever, or it will never learn to walk’, and must eventually ‘let go’.
She suggested that if issues arise, the approach should be to assist and guide improvement, as reported by Yahoo! News. Law described the ejection of spectators during the World Grand Prix snooker event on March 4, 2025, as “deeply unsatisfactory”.
Critics counter that Hong Kong has successfully hosted numerous international events before, such as the Hong Kong Sevens and the 2022 Hong Kong Masters, and the operator—Kai Tak Sports Park Limited, handpicked for this job—should already have been prepared for such scenarios.
Screenshot from OpenAI ChatGPT o1 commenting on the Hong Kong government’s “raising a child” analogy for event management.
OpenAI ChatGPT o1’s Perspective
When asked to analyze the controversy, OpenAI ChatGPT o1 laid out several considerations:
Experience and Accountability: It noted that Hong Kong has a considerable history of hosting large-scale events, implying that key lessons in overtime management should have been applied at the new venue. The fact that this misstep still occurred raises doubts about either the operator’s readiness or the thoroughness of the government’s oversight.
Operator Selection and Oversight: The AI highlighted the importance of vetting any chosen operator to ensure awareness of local regulations and expectations. If the venue’s management was not fully prepared, the government’s selection process might warrant review.
Excuse vs. Governance Philosophy: The “raising a child” analogy can be read as an invitation for the operator to learn through challenges. However, the AI also acknowledged that some observers see it as a way to shift blame for operational shortcomings.
Public Trust and Preparedness: Given the large public investment, residents naturally expect a smooth launch and robust contingency plans. The AI underscored that an event organizer and venue operator should have well-established protocols to handle overtime events without inconveniencing paying spectators.
Screenshot from OpenAI ChatGPT o1 commenting on the Hong Kong government’s “raising a child” analogy for event management.
Broader Implications
The snooker incident highlights the need for stronger communication between the government, event organizers, and the management team of the sports park. OpenAI's ChatGPT o1 emphasized that well-defined protocols and the ability to escalate issues promptly are essential to uphold Hong Kong’s reputation as a capable host of international events. While initial hiccups can be expected during the launch of a new venue, repeated mismanagement could erode public trust and further damage Hong Kong’s already fragile international image.
Screenshot from OpenAI ChatGPT o1 commenting on the Hong Kong government’s “raising a child” analogy for event management.
Source: Yahoo! News
