Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 33 Week of 22 September 2025
(1) Hong Kong Bulls defeat Changsha Yongsheng to defend NBL title
The Hong Kong Bulls retained the Chinese National Basketball League (NBL) championship by defeating the Changsha Yongsheng 85-71.
(2) Dinesh Karthik delight at being handed India captaincy for Hong Kong Sixes
Former wicketkeeper-batsman set to swap commentary box for playing field in November tournament.
(3) Rugby World Cup 2027 looms large as Hong Kong aim to get up to speed
Amid countdown to tournament debut in Australia, coaches working to ensure the city can be competitive.
(4) Japan considering North Korea’s participation in 2026 Asian Games
Japan will consider whether to allow North Korean athletes to participate in next year’s Asian Games in Nagoya after the North expressed its intention to take part, the Japanese government said.
(1) Hong Kong Bulls defeat Changsha Yongsheng to defend NBL title
(Photo Credit: Xinhua)
The Hong Kong Bulls defeated the Changsha Yongsheng 85-71 in Game 4 of the Chinese National Basketball League (NBL) Finals in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, on Monday, winning the series 3-1 and retaining the championship. Four of the Bulls players scored double-digit points, led by 24 from Josh Carlton. Michael Ertel II contributed 17 points and three three-pointers. He was named the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP).
The Bulls missed 12 of their 20 field goals in the first quarter, but made four shots out of eight attempts from downtown, leading 22-19. They continued to extend their advantage by containing their opponents to only 14 points in the second quarter and led 48-33 when the first half ended.
The Bulls still scored at will in the third quarter and watched the deficit grow to 24 points at 72-48 before the final quarter. Though the home side began the fourth with a 12-6 run, the rally was too little too late for them to come back.
News Source: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-09-23/Hong-Kong-Bulls-defeat-Changsha-Yongsheng-to-defend-NBL-title-1GTCt592qQw/p.html
(2) Dinesh Karthik delight at being handed India captaincy for Hong Kong Sixes
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Dinesh Karthik will swap the commentary box for the playing field after he was appointed India captain for this year’s Hong Kong Cricket Sixes. A veteran of 26 Test matches and 154 limited overs internationals, former wicketkeeper-batsman Karthik spent the summer covering the exhilarating series between England and India for Sky Sports. He has joined 38-year-old spinning great Ravichandran Ashwin in the Indian side for the three-day tournament at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground from November 7.
“It is an absolute honour leading India at the Hong Kong Sixes, a tournament with such rich history and global recognition,” Karthik said. “I look forward to leading a group of players who have such incredible records to their credit … together we will aim to bring joy to the fans and play cricket that is both fearless and entertaining.”
India lost all five of their matches when the Sixes returned following a seven-year absence in 2024. In the 40-year-old Karthik, they have added a player who recorded a strike rate of 142.61 from 48 T20 international innings. He last played in February for South African T20 side Paarl Royals.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/cricket/article/3326538/dinesh-karthik-delight-being-handed-india-captaincy-hong-kong-sixes?module=top_story&pgtype=section
(3) Rugby World Cup 2027 looms large as Hong Kong aim to get up to speed
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Following Hong Kong’s qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, head coach Logan Asplin has initiated a full-time professionalization strategy by signing 26 local players—retaining the core of the Asia Rugby Championship-winning squad while integrating overseas-based talents like Matt Worley (Bedford Blues), Isaac Campbell-Wu (Bristol Bears), and Marcus Ramage (Nottingham). This approach aims to deepen squad quality and address positional gaps, with plans to expand the pool to 35 players, including sevens specialists like Harry Sayers and James Christie. Asplin emphasized the need to “future-proof” the team by lowering the age profile and building a sustainable talent pathway.
The squad will undergo intensive preparation starting with an October training camp in Japan, featuring matches against League One sides Skyactivs Hiroshima and LeRIRO Fukuoka, followed by a home game against Japan A at Kai Tak Stadium. Cancelled Tests against Zimbabwe prompted a likely European tour to ensure competitive readiness for the 2025 Nations League. Asplin’s unique advantage lies in controlling player availability—unlike rivals from Zimbabwe or Namibia—allowing focused development of tactical cohesion and physical conditioning, particularly in speed and ball control.
Asplin prioritizes balancing Hong Kong’s Asian strengths with global physicality, noting that a malfunctioning set piece would hinder their “world-class backline” potential. While experienced players like 35-year-olds Tommy Hill and captain Josh Hrstich provide stability, the coach must address depth issues to mitigate injury risks. His philosophy centers on marrying realistic self-assessment with strategic surprises, ensuring the team evolves from regional dominance to credible World Cup competitiveness through structured, incremental improvements.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3326693/rugby-world-cup-2027-journey-begins-hong-kong-aim-get-speed?module=top_story&pgtype=section
(4) Japan considering North Korea’s participation in 2026 Asian Games
(Photo Credit: Reuters file)
The Japanese government announced on Thursday (September 18) that it will consider allowing North Korean athletes to participate in next year’s Asian Games in Nagoya, following North Korea’s expression of intent to send a delegation. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed the government is consulting across ministries after the event’s organizing committee raised the issue, marking a potential diplomatic engagement between the two nations which currently lack formal ties.
The decision carries historical weight: North Korea did not attend the last Asian Games hosted by Japan in 1994. Since 2016, Japan has imposed an entry ban on North Korean citizens due to its nuclear and missile programs, though it has previously made exceptions for athletes participating in international sports events held in Japan. According to Kyodo News, North Korea plans to send about 150 athletes competing in 17 events at the Games, scheduled for September 19 to October 4 next year.
North Korea’s participation in the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou (2023), where it won 11 gold medals and 39 overall, provides a recent precedent for its athletes competing internationally. Japan’s current evaluation will balance security concerns with the spirit of international sportsmanship, determining whether to grant special entry permissions—a decision closely watched for its implications on regional diplomacy and the inclusivity of the upcoming Nagoya Asian Games.
News Source: https://www.asiaone.com/asia/japan-considering-north-koreas-participation-2026-asian-games
