Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 4 Week of 3 March 2025
(1) Legal Basketball Betting Is Coming to Hong Kong, But Not Before Late 2026
Hong Kong has been looking to expand the available betting markets locally, with basketball a heavy favorite – however do not expect to bet on hoops any time soon
(2) Pakistan confirm AFC Asian Cup participation as FIFA lifts suspension
The International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) has lifted the ban on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) following the successful constitutional amendments.
(3) Hong Kong, LIV Golf deal talks still at early stage, league’s CEO hails wonderful city
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil won’t be drawn on nature of talks about long-term deal, but highlights ‘supportive’ relationship with government.
(4) Officials apologise after snooker fans are forced to leave event in Hong Kong
Red-faced Hong Kong officials apologised on Wednesday after dozens of fans at the city’s brand-new sports complex were kicked out mid-match at a World Snooker event.
(1) Legal Basketball Betting Is Coming to Hong Kong, But Not Before Late 2026
(Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com)
According to local media outlets in Hong Kong, basketball betting will be launched in the Special Administrative Region (SAR), although the timeline remains uncertain. Reports indicate that the current regulatory framework is still being developed, along with the details on how the betting system will operate. A tentative date for the launch has been set for September 2026, as financial secretary Paul Chan highlighted the need to address the extensive black market that is affecting public revenue.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), which manages horse racing, soccer, and other betting activities in the SAR, will play a crucial role in establishing the basketball betting framework. The HKJC can build upon existing rules for soccer betting, which have proven effective and face fewer challenges from authorities. However, local reports suggest that even with a smooth process, the HKJC will require time to create a comprehensive betting system for basketball.
Basketball bets may be available in time for the 2026/2027 NBA season, potentially limited to online wagers rather than retail betting shops. The HKJC and the government are focused on dismantling illegal gambling operations linked to basketball betting, as the sport’s popularity has led to a significant black market.
News Source: https://www.gamblingnews.com/news/legal-basketball-betting-is-coming-to-hong-kong-but-not-before-late-2026/
(2) Pakistan confirm AFC Asian Cup participation as FIFA lifts suspension
(Photo Credit: Pakistan Football Federation)
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) confirmed that the national squad will participate in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifiers following the lifting of FIFA’s international suspension against the country. FIFA had imposed the suspension on 6 February 2025, marking the third such action in less than eight years due to the federation’s rejection of electoral reforms. In response, the PFF unanimously approved FIFA’s proposed constitutional amendments in an extraordinary meeting last Thursday.
With the suspension lifted, Pakistan can now commence its AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaign, starting with an away match against Syria on 25 March 2025 in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Stephen Constantine, who previously served as head coach, has been reappointed for this match. The qualifiers will be conducted on a home-and-away basis, with Pakistan placed in Group E alongside Syria, Afghanistan, and Myanmar.
The PFF has faced ongoing crises and controversies since 2015, making this the third suspension since 2017. The previous suspensions were largely due to undue third-party interference, notably a takeover by a group of officials in March 2021 that was not recognised by FIFA. The ban was lifted once FIFA confirmed that its normalization committee had regained control of the PFF’s operations and finances.
News Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2592265/pakistan
(3) Hong Kong, LIV Golf deal talks still at early stage, league’s CEO hails wonderful city
(Photo Credit: Jonathan Wong)
Discussions about a long-term deal between Hong Kong and LIV Golf are still at an early stage, with more information likely to emerge in the next few days. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil stated that he was not in a position to comment publicly but highlighted at a press conference at Hong Kong Golf Club that any event “takes government support, and we have a really supportive government partner here, and that matters.” He also referenced the presence of this month’s Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens as a “world-class event in a world-class stadium,” expressing satisfaction with the partnership.
O’Neil faced the media in Hong Kong for the first time since the city’s finance minister, Paul Chan Mo-po, announced in his Budget speech last month the potential for an agreement to keep the golf league at Fanling for several years. Chan remarked, “We will adopt a more strategic approach for continuously attracting sports events that can bring significant economic benefits to Hong Kong.” Although officials have not expanded on this, more details about the deal could be revealed on Sunday, with Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui planning to visit Fanling for the final round of this week’s tournament.
A government insider previously informed the Post that last year’s LIV event attracted a substantial number of spectators, including many tourists who spent significantly more than the average visitor. O’Neil emphasised the significant impact of LIV events, stating, “We fill seats on planes, we fill hotel rooms, we fill restaurants, and we put on some world-class golf.” He concluded by noting that Hong Kong is approaching pre-Covid levels of tourism for the first time, making it a destination the world should want to visit.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3301179/hong-kong-liv-golf-deal-talks-still-early-stage-leagues-ceo-hails-wonderful-city
(4) Officials apologise after snooker fans are forced to leave event in Hong Kong
(Photo Credit: CTK/ imago sportfotodienst/ Tai Chengzhe)
World champion Kyren Wilson defeated Matthew Selt 4-3 in a late-night World Grand Prix match at the newly opened Kai Tak Arena, part of a HK$30 billion ($3 billion) sports complex. However, about 100 spectators were asked to leave before the match concluded due to the cessation of public transport in the area at midnight. Wilson’s management team expressed frustration on social media, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
In response to the incident, culture, sports and tourism minister Rosanna Law acknowledged the issue, stating, “This situation is obviously not ideal.” She emphasised the need to seriously consider the spectator experience and to identify remedial measures. Organisers assured ticket-holders that they would be able to watch matches until the end for the remainder of the tournament, which runs until Sunday, and confirmed that additional transport options have been arranged.
This year’s World Grand Prix marks the first time the event is being held outside the United Kingdom and is part of Hong Kong’s efforts to enhance its international reputation through “mega-events.” Notably, snooker stars Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump announced last year that they had obtained Hong Kong residency under a government policy aimed at attracting talent. O’Sullivan, however, has withdrawn from this year’s tournament for medical reasons.
News Source: https://www.flashscore.com/news/snooker-world-grand-prix-officials-apologise-after-snooker-fans-are-forced-to-leave-event-in-hong-kong/jgqYydHi/
