Ignoring health warnings heeded by other teams and even rebel rockers the Rolling Stones, Taiwan yesterday confirmed it would take part in the annual Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament.
The territory has been plagued by an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which has infected more than 500 people and killed 17, according to World Health Organization figures.
Three teams have already pulled out of the Sevens, which starts today, citing fears of contracting the disease and concerns over the US war in Iraq.
The Netherlands has replaced Argentina for the 24-team event, while earlier in the week France and Italy withdrew and were replaced by teams from Namibia and Tonga.
A spokeswoman at the Chinese Taipei Rugby Football Union said the team had considered pulling out of the Sevens but decided to go ahead after discussions between officials.
"They are there now and ready to play. We believe they will not face a significantly more serious risk of contracting [the disease] compared with staying in Taiwan," she said.
Organizers of the Sevens, an annual event since 1976, said there had been talks with health and tourism officials before agreeing to go ahead with the event despite the problems.
"We believe, based on the information that we've been given at the present time, the risk is minimal in an open air environment," Rugby Football Union chairman John Molloy said at a news briefing yesterday, adding face masks would be given to fans as a precautionary measure.
The Rolling Stones, meanwhile, cancelled their Hong Kong concerts over "concern [due to] large gatherings have created apprehension among fans and concern for their safety."
The Hong Kong Sevens is the most famous of all the seven-man team rugby union tournaments and the three-day event attracts around 40,000 fans each year.
England won the tournament last year, beating Fiji 33-20 in the Cup Championship Final, while South Africa defeated Scotland in the Plate Championship Final.
Taiwan was unlucky not to emerge from the third tier Bowl Championship Final encounter with Morrocco as the winner, narrowly being beaten 15-12.
Fiji is the most successful sevens nation in the world with 10 wins, closely followed by New Zealand with eight and Australia with five.
This year, New Zealand is the team in form, but England is coming back into contention and will be a favorite with many of the locals, who will be fueling one of the biggest gambling days of the year in the former British territory. Fiji is the dark horse favorite.
Pundits are saying that this year's Hong Kong Sevens should be one of the most competitive ever. Games are 10-minutes long for each half, with a two-minute interval.
There are six groups each of four teams, with Taiwan in Pool B and taking on England, Singapore and Tonga.
It is slated to play Tonga today, England and Singapore tomorrow and if it makes it through, to the quarterfinals, semifinals and final on Sunday, the concluding day of the tournament.
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