Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 23 Week of 14 July 2025
(1) Manchester United’s academy squad to visit Hong Kong
Manchester United’s Academy Under-16 team will visit Hong Kong in August for a youth football summit, featuring friendly matches, cultural exchanges and appearances by club legends.
(2) Premier League fans in Asia want to feel valued – and not just as a source of revenue
Asian Premier League fans want genuine connection and consistent engagement from their clubs, not just occasional visits centered on profit.
(3) The Hong Kong football coach hoping to lead Chinese Taipei to 2027 World Cup
Chan Hiu-ming has transformed Chinese Taipei’s women’s football team and aims to become the first Hongkonger to coach at a World Cup, despite challenges in support and resources.
(4) Hong Kong’s top pickleball player Jack Wong aims for triple crown at Hong Kong Open next month
Jack Wong Hong-kit will compete in three events at next month’s Hong Kong Open, aiming to lead local representation as top players from Asia and beyond join the PPA Tour.
(1) Manchester United’s academy squad to visit Hong Kong
(Photo Credit: Manchester United)
Manchester United and The Hong Kong Jockey Club are hosting the fifth JC Youth Football Academy Summit in Hong Kong from 11 to 18 August 2025. As part of the event, Manchester United’s Academy Under-16 squad will engage in a week of football and cultural exchange with local young players. Two friendly matches are set to be held on 15 and 17 August 2025 at Mong Kok Stadium, where the Academy team will face a Premier Youth League Select Team and the Hong Kong, China Under-16 Representative Team.
Club legends Peter Schmeichel and Phil Jones will attend the summit, each making an appearance at one of the matches. Nick Cox, Manchester United’s Director of Academy, highlighted the summit as an important opportunity for personal growth and development through competitive football, cultural experiences and fan interaction. He expressed gratitude to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for their continued support in making the event possible.
Raymond Tam of The Hong Kong Jockey Club emphasised the Club’s long-standing commitment to nurturing young talent through sport. By partnering with professional organisations and promoting youth development, the Club aims to enhance the physical, mental and social wellbeing of participants.
News Source: https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/manchester-united-academy-squad-to-visit-hong-kong-as-youth-football-summit-returns
(2) Premier League fans in Asia want to feel valued – and not just as a source of revenue
(Photo Credit: The Guardian)
Premier League supporters in Asia are calling for more meaningful engagement from their favourite clubs. While summer visits allow fans to see players up close, many feel these trips often centre too much on commercial gain. Fans in countries like Thailand and Malaysia describe the experience as emotional and exciting, especially since travelling to Europe is not an option for most. They want clubs to recognise how deeply they care and to treat these tours as more than promotional exercises.
Many supporters are asking for visits that go beyond basic exhibition matches. They want to see competitive games and more thoughtful outreach, particularly efforts that include children and fans from lower income communities. Clubs are being urged to avoid playing against hastily assembled local teams and instead offer fixtures that feel authentic and memorable. Fans also want these interactions to happen more regularly, not just once every few years.
In between tours, digital platforms are helping clubs stay connected. Online content, entertainment centres and immersive technology like virtual reality can bridge the physical distance and keep fans engaged. What supporters in Asia really want is to feel valued, respected and included, not just as ticket buyers, but as passionate members of a global football family.
News Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jul/15/premier-league-fans-in-asia-want-to-feel-valued-and-not-just-as-a-source-of-revenue
(3) The Hong Kong football coach hoping to lead Chinese Taipei to 2027 World Cup
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Chan Hiu-ming, head coach of Chinese Taipei’s women’s football team, has expressed his ambition to become the first Hongkonger to lead a team at the World Cup. Since taking charge in May 2023, he has transformed the team’s approach from passive to proactive, encouraging pressing and ball control. Despite a recent 4-2 defeat to China, his side showed resilience and improvement, which he sees as part of their journey towards competing with top-ranked teams.
Chan has completed the first phase of his role by guiding the team to qualify for the 2026 Asian Cup, but he remains uncertain about the level of support from the Chinese Taipei Football Association. While government funding and player salaries are strong, he believes more professional management and resources are needed to sustain progress. He warned that missing out on major tournaments could jeopardise future support and development.
With a coaching career that began at age 18 and includes roles with several Hong Kong clubs and Macau, Chan has built a reputation for innovation and dedication. He overcame early scepticism as a non-player coach and earned respect through his achievements. As his current contract nears its end, he remains focused on the World Cup dream and has expressed interest in one day coaching the Hong Kong men’s team, calling it a source of pride and a chance to give back to his home.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3318084/hong-kong-football-coach-hoping-lead-chinese-taipei-2027-world-cup
(4) Hong Kong’s top pickleball player Jack Wong aims for triple crown at Hong Kong Open next month
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Hong Kong pickleball player Jack Wong Hong-kit is aiming for a triple crown at the upcoming PPA Tour Asia’s Hong Kong Open, competing in men’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles. The 26-year-old, formerly a tennis player, will team up with South Korean Kim Eunggwon and his younger sister Cody Wong Hong-yi for the doubles events. Wong said he is focused on performing his best rather than feeling pressure about competing on home turf.
The Hong Kong Open will take place at Kai Tak Arena from 21 to 24 August 2025 and is part of a series of tournaments across Asia. It follows the inaugural event held earlier this month in Kuala Lumpur, with upcoming stops in Fukuoka and Ho Chi Minh City. Wong expressed hopes of challenging top international players and helping Asian talent gain greater recognition.
The season will conclude with the top-tier China Slam and a Cup event in Kuala Lumpur, though there are reports that the China leg might also shift to Malaysia. Among the players expected in Hong Kong is China’s Long Yufei, who won the women’s singles in Malaysia and will join other international athletes at the tournament.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3318328/citys-top-pickleball-player-jack-wong-aims-triple-crown-hong-kong-open-next-month
