Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 16 Week of 26 May 2025
(1) Hong Kong netball chiefs say Kai Tak Sports Park could aid World Cup bid
Hong Kong will host the Asian Championships next summer, a key qualifying event for the 2027 World Cup, aiming to leverage this opportunity to secure their World Cup spot and promote netball in the region.
(2) Fiji and China forge landmark rugby partnership in Beijing
The Fiji Rakavi Football Union and the China Rugby Football Association have partnered to enhance rugby development in both nations through collaboration on coaching, youth exchanges, and talent development programs.
(3) India beat China to clinch mixed relay gold in Asian Athletics Championships
India defended its 4x400m mixed relay gold at the Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea.
(4) China’s Sun Yingsha, Wang Chuqin win world table tennis titles
Sun Yingsha won gold in the women’s final against Wang Manyu 4-3, while Wang Chuqin secured his first singles gold by defeating Calderano 4-1.
(1) Hong Kong netball chiefs say Kai Tak Sports Park could aid World Cup bid
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Hong Kong’s netball officials believe that hosting the Asian Championships next summer could serve as a crucial step towards qualifying for the 2027 World Cup. Scheduled for 7 to 16 August 2025, the championships will double as the qualifying event, with the top two teams securing a place in the World Cup finals in Sydney. This opportunity arose following the opening of Kai Tak Sports Park, which provides the necessary facilities for an international event.
Connie Wong Ar-yan, president of Netball Hong Kong, expressed the organisation’s long-standing desire to host such a significant tournament, highlighting that suitable venues had previously been a challenge. She noted that qualifying for the World Cup is especially important given netball’s potential inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, making this championship even more vital for the team.
Hong Kong has participated in five World Cups, with their last appearance in 2003, and they aim to improve upon their historical best finish of 13th. In addition to the Asian Championships, the association will also host the Bauhinia Cup and the Challenge Cup next month, with the Bauhinia Cup featuring the under-21 team preparing for the Asian Youth Netball Championship in South Korea.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3312268/hong-kong-netball-chiefs-say-kai-tak-sports-park-could-aid-world-cup-bid
(2) Fiji and China forge landmark rugby partnership in Beijing
(Photo Credit: FBC News)
In a significant move for global rugby development, the Fiji Rakavi Football Union Ltd and the China Rugby Football Association have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Beijing. This partnership aims to enhance the sport in both nations through shared expertise, strategic exchanges, and joint development programs. The signing ceremony followed a meeting between CRFA President Wang Yun and Fiji Rugby Union Trust Representative Jenny Seeto, where they discussed mutual goals such as building competitive teams and improving sports diplomacy.
The partnership will focus on joint initiatives, including rugby academies, youth exchanges, and high-performance programs, which aim to support athletes and local communities. President Wang Yun outlined a long-term vision centred on a talent development framework that will help China establish a competitive national team structure by leveraging Fiji’s elite coaching systems.
Ben Soso, head coach of the club, noted the commitment from both nations to act as ambassadors for rugby development. Seeto concluded by stating that the partnership represents a commitment to friendship and the growth of rugby, paving the way for collaborative programs in coaching, sports tourism, event operations, and youth development.
News Source: https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/sports/rugby/fiji-and-china-forge-landmark-rugby-partnership-in-beijing/
(3) India beat China to clinch mixed relay gold in Asian Athletics Championships
(Photo Credit: AFI)
India successfully defended its gold medal in the 4x400m mixed relay at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, with a commanding performance. The Indian team, comprising Rupal Chaudhary, Santhosh Kumar, Vishal TK, and Subha Venkatesan, finished with a time of 3:18.12, outperforming China, which clocked 3:20.52, while Sri Lanka secured the bronze with a time of 3:21.95.
Santhosh Kumar set a strong pace for India, followed by Rupal Chaudhary, who extended the lead before handing the baton to Vishal TK. Subha Venkatesan, a member of the gold-winning team from 2023, finished the race confidently, ensuring a comfortable victory.
In addition to the relay success, Rupal Chaudhary also earned a silver medal in the women’s 400m, finishing in 52.68 seconds behind Japan’s Nanako Matsumoto. Tejaswin Shankar claimed silver in the Decathlon with 7618 points, while Praveen Chithravel secured silver in the men’s triple jump with a jump of 16.90m, both finishing behind their Chinese opponents.
News Source: https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/other-sports/2025/05/28/asian-athletics-championships-india-clinch-gold-mixed-relay.html
(4) China’s Sun Yingsha, Wang Chuqin win world table tennis titles
(Photo Credit: Reuters)
World number one Sun Yingsha triumphed in a thrilling final against world number two Wang Manyu at the championships in Doha, winning 4-3. Sun started strong by taking the first two games 11-6 and 12-10, but Manyu fought back to win the next two games and saved four championship points in a tense fifth game, which Sun narrowly clinched 12-10.
Despite Manyu’s comeback, which included winning the sixth game 13-11, Sun Yingsha regained her composure to secure victory in the decisive seventh game 11-7. Reflecting on their intense rivalry, Sun expressed her joy at overcoming the challenge while acknowledging the competitive history they share.
In the men’s singles, world number two Wang Chuqin claimed his first gold medal by defeating Brazil’s Calderano 4-1. Chuqin dominated the match, taking the first two games 12-10 and 11-3 before regaining control after losing the third, ultimately sealing his victory with a strong performance.
News Source: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/sports/other-sports/china-s-sun-yingsha-wang-chuqin-win-world-table-tennis-titles-4890584.html
