Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 17 Week of 2 June 2025
(1) Hong Kong women’s footballer calls for government backing as team eyes Asian Cup return
Vicky Chung has urged the Hong Kong government to invest more in women’s football.
(2) Table tennis association apologises to Yeh Yi-tian
The Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association apologised to Yeh Yi-tian for barring her from the US Smash. The Ministry of Education reinstated funding following the apology.
(3) Zheng Qinwen loses to Aryna Sabalenka in French Open quarterfinals
Zheng Qinwen reached the French Open quarterfinals, showing strong potential despite losing to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
(4) Sevens hero Simon Amor back in Hong Kong to chase new goals
Simon Amor, former England sevens captain, has returned to Hong Kong as the Executive Director for Performance and Representative Rugby, aiming to help the organisation qualify for major tournaments and enhance rugby in the region.
(5) Veronica Chan, ‘the mother of Asian women’s football’ dies, aged 102
Veronica Chan Yiu-kam, the 102-year-old founding president of the Hong Kong Ladies Football Association and a pioneer of women’s football in Asia, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy of significant contributions to the sport.
(1) Hong Kong women’s footballer calls for government backing as team eyes Asian Cup return
(Photo Credit: SCMP/ Kitchee)
Vicky Chung Pui-ki has called for increased government investment in women’s football in Hong Kong as the team prepares for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers later this month. The Hong Kong women’s team recently drew with Bhutan and secured a victory against Malaysia, positioning themselves for upcoming matches against the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Cambodia for a chance to qualify for the finals in Australia.
Chung, who has played internationally since 2017 and has experience with a Scottish club, emphasised the need for a full-time domestic league to support the growth of women’s football in Hong Kong. She believes that while there is significant talent among young female players, more governmental support is essential to provide the necessary platforms for development. Also, Chung is actively involved in coaching, working with a boys’ under-13 team, and she aims to coach at the highest levels.
As Hong Kong aims to qualify for the finals for the first time since 2003, Chung expressed optimism about their chances, citing improvements in their performance. She has also urged organisers of the Soccer Sevens tournament to enhance the women’s competition, hoping that more international teams will participate to elevate the level of play in Hong Kong.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3312705/hong-kong-womens-footballer-calls-government-backing-team-eyes-asian-cup-return
(2) Table tennis association apologises to Yeh Yi-tian
(Photo Credit: CNA/ TaipeiTimes)
The Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association apologised to Yeh Yi-tian for barring her from participating in the World Table Tennis’ US Smash in Las Vegas. The apology followed a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Education, which had suspended some subsidies to the association and threatened to remove its secretary-general, Yeh Kuo‑ching, if an apology was not issued.
During the meeting, the association acknowledged their mistakes. Yeh Kuo-ching apologised for preventing Yeh Yi-tian from competing without her coach’s approval, the association has committed to better prioritising athlete communication, and the Sports Administration announced plans to co-host international tournaments in Taiwan. As a result, the ministry agreed to reinstate funding and allow Yeh Kuo-ching to remain in his position.
Despite the apology, the association defended its actions, stating that all athletes in the government-run Gold Program are required to prioritise national competitions over others. Yeh Yi-tian was reportedly the only athlete unwilling to forgo the US Smash in favour of the Asia Youth Table Tennis Championships, which overlapped with the US event. The association explained that its decisions were aimed at protecting athletes from penalties for missed tournaments.
News Source: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/06/04/2003838028
(3) Zheng Qinwen loses to Aryna Sabalenka in French Open quarterfinals
(Photo Credit: VCG/ GlobalTimes)
Olympic tennis gold medalist Zheng Qinwen faced world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s singles quarterfinals at the French Open, ultimately losing 7-6 (3), 6-3. Despite the defeat, Zheng showcased impressive skills, particularly in the early stages of the first set, where her form nearly pushed Sabalenka to the limit. This performance highlighted her ability to compete against top-tier opponents, according to Pan Shouhu, a former coach with the Chinese Tennis Association.
The match also revealed some areas for improvement in Zheng’s game, such as handling crucial points, maintaining serve consistency, and reducing double faults and unforced errors. These mistakes proved costly against a player of Sabalenka’s calibre, making it difficult for Zheng to recover during key moments. Nevertheless, reaching the quarterfinals marked Zheng’s best performance at the French Open and made her the second Chinese player to achieve this milestone.
Zheng expressed confidence heading into the match, noting her comfort on clay and her determination to fight for every point. Although she did not reach the semifinals this time, her progress is evident, as she previously defeated Sabalenka in Rome. Pan noted that Zheng’s mental composure has improved significantly, and her rise to No. 5 in the world rankings reflects her consistent performance and talent. This competitive maturity is seen as a valuable asset as she continues to develop her game.
News Source: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202506/1335344.shtml
(4) Sevens hero Simon Amor back in Hong Kong to chase new goals
(Photo Credit: Reuters)
Simon Amor, a former England sevens captain and Hong Kong Sevens hero, has returned to Hong Kong as the Executive Director for Performance and Representative Rugby at Hong Kong China Rugby. He expressed excitement about joining the organisation at a pivotal time for rugby in the region.
Amor aims to help the organisation achieve key objectives, including qualifying for the men’s and women’s World Cups in the 15-a-side game, as well as the Olympic sevens tournaments. He looks forward to collaborating with the team and stakeholders to drive excellence across their programmes.
With extensive experience in both the sevens and 15s rugby, Amor previously held positions with Team USA, Japan, and Team Great Britain, as well as serving as England’s attack coach under Eddie Jones. He is well-regarded for his contributions to the Hong Kong Sevens, having helped England win the tournament four times, including in 2004 when he was named IRB Sevens Player of the Year. Amor takes over the role from Pete Drewett.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/sports-news/article/303889/Sevens-hero-Amor-back-in-HK-to-chase-new-goals
(5) Veronica Chan, ‘the mother of Asian women’s football’ dies, aged 102
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Veronica Chan Yiu-kam, known as the “mother of Asian women’s football,” has passed away at the age of 102. The founding president of the Hong Kong Ladies Football Association (HKLFA), Chan was praised for her significant contributions to the sport by both her family and the Football Association of Hong Kong. Her dedication to football began in childhood, as she preferred playing with her brothers over dolls, and she devoted her life to promoting the game.
Born in Hong Kong in 1922, Chan played a crucial role in the development of women’s football in Asia. In 1968, she co-founded the Asian Women’s Football Federation and served as its president, overseeing the first Asian Women’s Football Championship in Hong Kong seven years later. Chan was also involved in men’s football, owning several Hong Kong Division A teams and earning recognition as the world’s first female team owner.
Throughout her life, Chan received numerous accolades for her commitment to football, including the AFC Lifetime Achievement Award in May 2024. She was celebrated not only for her visionary leadership but also for her generosity, famously hiring a helicopter to transport a goalkeeper for a significant match. Her passing is considered a great loss to the Hong Kong football community, with tributes highlighting her lasting impact on the sport and her inspiring legacy.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3312637/veronica-chan-mother-asian-womens-football-dies-aged-102
