GFI, a leading brokerage service provider, has signed a new three-year contract as title sponsor of the HKFC Tens rugby tournament, kicking off with the 2012 edition from March 21-22.
The contract runs through 2014 and will extend GFI’s title sponsorship of the international tournament to nine years, having supported the event since 2006 and helped it grow into one of the world’s leading 10-a-side competitions.
Since GFI came on board, the GFI HKFC Tens has attracted rugby legends Joe Roff and Toutai Kefu (both 2006), Jonah Lomu (2007), Brian Lima (2008), Bobby Skinstad (2009), Waisale Serevi (2010), George Gregan, Justin Marshall and Christian Cullen (all 2011).
The tournament, which is sanctioned by the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, is held at Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) on the Wednesday and Thursday before the world-famous Hong Kong Sevens and is an important part of the city’s rugby week.
Scott Tatham, Managing Director of GFI Asia-Pacific, said: “GFI has been a proud title sponsor of the HKFC Tens since 2006 and we’re committed to continue growing the event, which is already recognised as the world’s top rugby tens tournament.
“The GFI HKFC Tens is a great event for locals and visiting rugby fans who get to watch top-quality teams and world-class players in Hong Kong. The Tens offers a great chance for people to interact with rugby’s greatest players, such as Gregan, Marshall, Cullen, Serevi, Lima and Lomu.”
Hong Kong Football Club has hosted the annual event since it was staged in 1986 to celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary. Last year’s event commemorated the club’s 125th anniversary.
Chris Harker, Chairman of the GFI HKFC Tens Organising Committee, was delighted GFI extended its title sponsorship of the tournament, which last year featured live television coverage for the first time, with Now TV broadcasting action on Thursday and a highlights show.
“GFI has been a fantastic supporter of the HKFC Tens and we’ve worked hand in hand with them to grow this tournament into the world’s best rugby tens event,” Harker said.
“The HKFC Tens was created by Hong Kong Football Club in 1986 to mark the club’s 100th anniversary and has now grown into a showpiece event of its own, featuring the world’s top touring rugby teams and many rugby legends keen to give back to the game.”
