Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 11 Week of 21 April 2025
(1) Provisional approval given for the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Two final to be held at Singapore’s Bishan Stadium
The AFC has provisionally approved Bishan Stadium in Singapore to host the AFC Champions League Two final on 18 May 2025.
(2) Malaysia football urged to fix unpaid salaries crisis: ‘I am going home without any money’
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Malaysia’s football ecosystem to address persistent issues like unpaid player salaries.
(3) Hong Kong, China To Host World Table Tennis Finals 2025
Hong Kong, China will host the WTT Finals from 10 to 14 December 2025 at the Hong Kong Coliseum, featuring a USD 1.3 million prize pool.
(4) The Chief Executive, John Lee, meets Director of General Administration of Sport of China
Chief Executive Mr John Lee met with General Administration of Sport of China Director Mr Gao Zhidan to discuss preparations for the 15th National Games in Hong Kong.
(1) Provisional approval given for the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Two final to be held at Singapore’s Bishan Stadium
(Photo Credit: Asian Football Confederation)
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has granted provisional approval for the AFC Champions League Two final to be held at Bishan Stadium in Singapore on 18 May 2025. The Lion City Sailors will face Sharjah FC from the UAE in this match. Final approval will depend on an inspection by the AFC in early May. The Sailors are collaborating with Sport Singapore and other experts to prepare the venue for the event.
Sharjah FC previously expressed concerns about the final being held at the smaller Jalan Besar Stadium, stating it lacks the necessary capacity and facilities for such an important match. They emphasised their ability to host the final in a manner that meets the expectations of fans and stakeholders. In response, the Lion City Sailors defended Jalan Besar Stadium, highlighting its history and suitability as an AFC-approved venue.
The final will not take place at the National Stadium, as it is booked for a Lady Gaga concert on the same date. The Lion City Sailors made history by reaching the final after defeating Sydney FC, becoming the first Singaporean team to reach this stage in a continental competition. They believe hosting the final in Singapore would be a significant achievement for Singapore football on the international stage.
News Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/afc-champions-league-two-final-be-held-singapores-bishan-stadium-5081246
(2) Malaysia football urged to fix unpaid salaries crisis: ‘I am going home without any money’
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has urged Malaysia’s football authorities to completely overhaul the sport’s ecosystem, particularly addressing the ongoing issue of unpaid player salaries. She stressed that the challenges facing Malaysian football require comprehensive solutions rather than temporary fixes, advocating for a collaborative approach to create a healthier and more sustainable environment for the sport.
Yeoh has sought external expertise from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to assess the situation and plans to discuss their findings with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). She emphasised the need for a holistic view of the football landscape, aiming for improvements not only at the national level but also within individual clubs.
The call for reform comes amid growing player dissatisfaction, with interim coach Rezal Zambery Yahya of Kelantan United urging management to resolve salary arrears that have gone unpaid for up to six months. The crisis has also impacted foreign players, such as Milos Gordic from Kedah Darul Aman FC, who expressed his distress over returning home after nine months without pay, highlighting the personal sacrifices made during this difficult time.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3307640/malaysia-football-urged-fix-unpaid-salaries-crisis-i-am-going-home-without-any-money
(3) Hong Kong, China To Host World Table Tennis Finals 2025
(Photo Credit: International Table Tennis Federation)
Hong Kong, China has been confirmed as the host city for the World Table Tennis (WTT) Finals in 2025, which will take place from 10 to 14 December at the Hong Kong Coliseum, featuring a prize pool of USD 1.3 million. This marks the beginning of the race for top table tennis players to accumulate points throughout the 2025 season in hopes of qualifying for this prestigious event.
Steve Dainton, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Group Chief Executive Officer, expressed excitement about bringing the WTT Finals to Hong Kong, highlighting the city’s capability to deliver a world-class sporting experience. He noted that the Finals represent the climax of the season where the biggest stars compete, and Hong Kong’s infrastructure and passion for the sport make it an ideal location for such significant events.
Tony Yue, Chairman of the Hong Kong Table Tennis Association, welcomed the decision, stating that hosting the WTT Finals is a significant milestone for the local community and the sport in the region. He emphasised that the event will not only provide thrilling competition for fans but will also inspire future generations of table tennis players and supporters, reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a prominent destination for major sporting events.
News Source: https://www.ittf.com/2025/04/22/hong-kong-china-to-host-wtt-finals-2025/
(4) The Chief Executive, John Lee, meets Director of General Administration of Sport of China
(Photo Credit: Morgan Treacy/ Inpho)
Chief Executive Mr John Lee met with Mr Gao Zhidan, the Director of the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC) at Government House to discuss preparations for the 15th National Games in Hong Kong. The meeting was also attended by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law. Mr Lee welcomed Mr Gao and expressed his appreciation for the guidance provided by the GASC regarding the event’s preparations.
During the meeting, Mr Lee noted the importance of ongoing support from the GASC for Hong Kong’s sports development. He highlighted the commitment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to collaborate closely with the GASC to enhance sports exchanges and foster integrated development among cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Mr Lee assured that the HKSAR Government is determined to continue preparations for the 15th National Games, including conducting test events to ensure everything is ready for the official competitions. He emphasised the goal of working with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government to ensure the Games are simple, safe, and enjoyable for all participants.
News Source: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/19/P2025041900383.htm#:~:text=The%20Chief%20Executive%2C%20Mr%20John,for%20the%2015th%20National%20Games.
