Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 21 Week of 30 June 2025
(1) Ronnie O’Sullivan ‘hasn’t given up on Hong Kong
Ronnie O’Sullivan still sees a future in Hong Kong despite recent reports of a possible move to the Middle East, according to the city’s immigration chief.
(2) Cristiano Ronaldo chose Hong Kong for museum as ‘door to Asia’
Cristiano Ronaldo will open his first CR7 Life Museum in Hong Kong on 7 July 2025 to celebrate his career and personal story with fans across Asia.
(3) Osaka ready to spread her Wimbledon wings after downing Zheng conqueror Siniakova
Naomi Osaka is enjoying a renewed sense of confidence on grass as she reaches the Wimbledon third round, overcoming past fears and eyeing her best run yet.
(4) Hong Kong aims to challenge mainland China table tennis dominance after World Table Tennis win
Hong Kong’s Wong Chun-ting and Baldwin Chan won their first World Table Tennis (WTT) men’s doubles title in Croatia.
(1) Ronnie O’Sullivan ‘hasn’t given up on Hong Kong
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Ronnie O’Sullivan, the seven-time world snooker champion, has not ruled out staying in Hong Kong despite recent reports suggesting a possible move to the Middle East with his new wife. The city’s Director of Immigration, Benson Kwok, confirmed he has been in contact with O’Sullivan and said the star remains fond of Hong Kong. He is expected to return next month to open a snooker club, suggesting he still sees a future in the city.
O’Sullivan became a Hong Kong resident last year through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, a programme designed to attract global talent. He had praised Hong Kong’s lifestyle, tax system and passion for snooker, calling it a great place to live. Though he has reportedly sold his house in the UK and expressed uncertainty about his next steps, he has not closed the door on continuing his journey in Hong Kong.
Kwok also highlighted the wider impact of O’Sullivan’s move, noting it had inspired other top snooker players like Judd Trump and Neil Robertson to apply for residency. He remains hopeful that Hong Kong will continue attracting elite talent not only from sport, but across creative and cultural industries.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3316294/ronnie-osullivan-hasnt-given-hong-kong-immigration-chief-says
(2) Cristiano Ronaldo chose Hong Kong for museum as ‘door to Asia’
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Cristiano Ronaldo has chosen Hong Kong as the location for his new CR7 Life Museum, which will open on 7 July 2025 at K11 Musea in Tsim Sha Tsui. His representatives said the city was a natural choice due to his strong fan base in China and across Asia. The museum will cover not only his football career but also his personal life and values, aiming to inspire younger generations.
The 12,000 square foot exhibition will feature interactive displays, memorabilia and highlights from Ronaldo’s achievements, including his Champions League successes. It is expected to attract over two million visitors during its one-year run. Although the exact date is not confirmed, Ronaldo is expected to visit the museum in person.
This is the first full-scale CR7 Life Museum following a smaller trial version in Riyadh. Organisers plan to take the exhibition to other cities in mainland China after its Hong Kong debut, with the goal of sharing Ronaldo’s story and legacy with fans across the region.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3315964/cristiano-ronaldos-museum-came-hong-kong-because-it-door-asia-spokesman-says
(3) Osaka ready to spread her Wimbledon wings after downing Zheng conqueror Siniakova
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Naomi Osaka has reached the third round of Wimbledon for the first time since 2018, following a confident straight sets win over Katerina Siniakova. Known for her success on hard courts, Osaka has long struggled on grass and admitted to feeling paralysed by fear when playing at Wimbledon. However, after returning from maternity leave and regaining form, she now feels more at ease on the surface and is hopeful about her chances this year.
Osaka reflected on how fear crept in with age, affecting her movement and confidence on grass. She believes she is finally overcoming those mental and physical barriers, crediting her improved comfort and mobility for her recent success. Her win against Siniakova, a three-time Wimbledon doubles champion, marks a turning point in her relationship with the tournament.
With several top seeds already out, Osaka has a promising path ahead and will next face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, whom she has not lost to since 2017. Now ranked 53rd in the world, Osaka is aiming to reach the last 16 at Wimbledon for the first time, and says she is motivated by both her daughter and a renewed belief in her ability to compete on grass.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3316720/osaka-ready-spread-her-wimbledon-wings-after-downing-zheng-conqueror-siniakova
(4) Hong Kong aims to challenge mainland China table tennis dominance after World Table Tennis win
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Hong Kong table tennis players Wong Chun-ting and Baldwin Chan Ho-wah claimed their first men’s doubles title together at the WTT Contender tournament in Zagreb, Croatia. They defeated mainland Chinese pair Huang Youzheng and Xue Fei in a close final, coming back from match point down to win. The duo also beat the reigning world champions in earlier rounds, marking a major breakthrough since they began their partnership in October.
Wong, a three-time Olympian, and Chan, who earned his first senior title, said the win was a confidence boost and a sign of their growing chemistry. They credited their recent improvements to lessons learned at the World Championships in May and expressed hope for continued success in bigger tournaments. Chan highlighted the result as proof that Hong Kong players can compete with the world’s best.
Head coach Li Ching praised their progress but noted they still need to improve their coordination and consistency. He acknowledged Chan’s potential but said the young player remains both the strength and weakness of the pair. The team will next compete at the WTT US Smash in Las Vegas, aiming to build on their momentum.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3316483/hongkongers-aim-challenge-mainland-china-table-tennis-dominance-after-wtt-win?module=top_story&pgtype=section
