Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 29 Week of 25 August 2025
(1) Hong Kong funding scheme to axe support for regional sports tournaments, focusing on ‘world-level’ events
Hong Kong’s major sports events funding scheme will no longer support regional competitions, focusing only on “world-level” events in a bid to boost tourism and the economy
(2) SCO Boosts Belarus-China cooperation in sports and tourism
Cooperation between Belarus and China in sports and tourism is receiving a new boost through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
(3) Coleman Wong Becomes First Men’s Tennis Player From Hong Kong To Win a Grand Slam Singles Match
Hong Kong’s 21-year-old Coleman Wong made history as the first man from the region to win a Grand Slam singles match in the Open era, defeating Aleksandar Kovacevic in straight sets at the US Open.
(4) Asia Cup 2025- Indian Sports Minister breaks silence after pressure rises to boycott Pakistan
Indian Sports Minister defended the national cricket team’s Asia Cup participation against Pakistan despite political backlash, citing Olympic Charter obligations for multilateral events. He also stated that withdrawal would yield an automatic win to Pakistan and risk sanctions.
(1) Hong Kong funding scheme to axe support for regional sports tournaments, focusing on ‘world-level’ events
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
The Hong Kong government has announced stricter vetting criteria for its “M” Mark System, a funding scheme for major sports events. Under the new guidelines, only “world-level” events such as world championships or intercontinental tournaments will be eligible; “Asia level” competitions are now explicitly excluded. The scheme remains a dollar-to-dollar matching grant with a maximum of HK$15 million per event, but the actual amount will be determined by the proposal’s quality, with no guarantee of the full sum. Funding allocation will consider factors including economic impact, tourism benefits, and media coverage.
The revamp is reported to be partly in response to the February 2023 incident where footballer Lionel Messi did not play in a friendly match, despite the event organizer, Tatler Asia, receiving HK$15 million in “M” Mark funding and a HK$1 million venue grant. The incident prompted over 1,465 consumer complaints, and the organizer subsequently withdrew its bid for the grant. The new guidelines also increase the ceiling for support for events held in private venues from HK$1 million to HK$3 million.
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law stated that the changes aim to enhance the efficiency of government funding and dismissed concerns that excluding regional events would hinder sports development. She highlighted that other support mechanisms, such as venue hiring assistance and the Arts and Sport Development Fund, remain available. Eighteen “M” Mark events are scheduled for 2024, including the Hong Kong Marathon and the Rugby Sevens.
News Source: https://hongkongfp.com/2025/08/25/hong-kong-funding-scheme-to-axe-support-for-regional-sports-tournaments-focusing-on-world-level-events/
(2) SCO Boosts Belarus-China cooperation in sports and tourism
(Photo Credit: TV BRICS)
Belarus has strengthened its sports and tourism cooperation with China through its accession as the 10th member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2024. Sports and Tourism Minister Sergey Kovalchuk emphasized Belarus’ active participation in SCO initiatives, calling the membership “important” for bilateral collaboration. China’s support in constructing two world-class facilities – the Belarusian International Standard Swimming Pool and National Football Stadium – has significantly enhanced Belarus’ capacity to host international tournaments and train athletes.
The partnership extends beyond infrastructure to include joint sports programs within the SCO framework. China has proposed coordinated competitions among member states and established expert groups for event organization. Regular football training exchanges have already been implemented, with Kovalchuk expressing confidence that deeper cooperation will yield “new success on the global football stage.” These initiatives highlight the SCO’s role in facilitating practical knowledge transfer and athlete development between the nations.
Tourism is described as a “unique bridge” for strengthening bilateral ties, with direct flights driving increased visitation between the countries. Kovalchuk personally invited Chinese tourists to experience Belarus’ rich historical heritage, Eastern-Western fusion cuisine, unique landscapes, and renowned medical wellness facilities. The sustained high occupancy rates on flights underscore the growing people-to-people connections, positioning tourism as both an economic driver and diplomatic tool within the SCO partnership.
News Source: https://tvbrics.com/en/news/sco-boosts-belarus-china-cooperation-in-sports-and-tourism/
(3) Coleman Wong Becomes First Men’s Tennis Player From Hong Kong To Win a Grand Slam Singles Match
(Photo Credit: AFP)
Hong Kong tennis player Coleman Wong has made history by becoming the first man from the region to win a Grand Slam singles match in the Open era. The 21-year-old achieved this milestone with a straight-sets victory (6-4, 7-5, 7-6) over Aleksandar Kovacevic in the US Open main draw, having battled through the qualifying rounds to get there. Wong, who trains at Rafael Nadal’s academy in Mallorca, revealed he received a congratulatory message from Nadal himself shortly after the win.
Wong’s journey began in Hong Kong, where he first picked up a racket at age five at Victoria Park. He later trained at the Hong Kong Sports Institute before moving to Nadal’s academy in Spain at 17. His transition was aided by fellow academy student Alexandra Eala, who herself made history days earlier as the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam singles match. Wong acknowledged the difficulty of adjusting to Europe during the Covid pandemic, crediting Eala for helping him adapt.
Despite a breakthrough earlier this year with a win over sixth-seeded Ben Shelton in Miami, Wong has faced challenges on the ATP tour, often exiting in qualifying rounds at events like the French Open and Wimbledon. Reflecting on the ups and downs of professional tennis, he emphasized the importance of perseverance and self-belief. His US Open victory marks a significant moment for Hong Kong tennis and his personal career.
News Source: https://www.news18.com/sports/coleman-wong-becomes-first-mens-tennis-player-from-hong-kong-to-ws-dl-9527934.html
(4) Asia Cup 2025- Indian Sports Minister breaks silence after pressure rises to boycott Pakistan
(Photo Credit: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP)
Indian Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has publicly defended the government’s decision to allow the national cricket team to play Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, despite significant political backlash. The criticism, from figures including former cricketers and politicians, followed a terrorist attack in Pahalgam and subsequent Indian military action under Operation Sindoor. Critics argued that participating in the match would betray the victims and martyrs of that attack.
Minister Mandaviya clarified the government’s strict policy of permitting no bilateral sporting events with Pakistan. However, he stated that participation in multilateral tournaments, such as the Asia Cup, is obligatory under the Olympic Charter. He explained that refusing to participate or denying visas to another country in such events could lead to sanctions against India’s Olympic Association and sports federations.
The Minister further justified the decision by stating that an Indian withdrawal would hand Pakistan an automatic victory, which would be unfair to Indian athletes and damage the country’s international reputation. Emphasizing a commitment to both national security and athletic excellence, Mandaviya stated the objective is for Indian athletes to participate and win, ensuring the tricolor “flies high on the sports field and at the borders.” The match is scheduled for September 14 in Dubai.
News Source: https://cricketaddictor.com/cricket-news/asia-cup-2025-indian-sports-minister-breaks-silence-after-pressure-rises-to-boycott-pakistan-192332/
