Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 42 Week of 1 December 2025
(1) Hong Kong Squash Open: Sabrina Sobhy secures memorable win over sister in first round
Top seed Hania El Hammamy receives bye to second round after her opponent fails to show, while men’s holder Mostafa Asal enjoys smooth start.
(2) Hong Kong badminton player slams ‘outrageous’ state of Youth Olympics medal lent to HKSI
Despite finishing outside the medals, Lai says she is ‘quite pleased’ with her efforts and looking ahead to competing again next week.
(3) Premier League considers 2026 Summer Series in Asia
The Premier League is considering holding a four-club Summer Series in Asia next year. No concrete plans are in place but clubs have been contacted for their views, with Hong Kong and the nearby Chinese city of Shenzhen seen as potential host venues.
(4) Galaxy Patch and Helios Express on track to peak at Hong Kong International Races after dirt trial
Jockeys of two Group One contenders ooze confidence after a 1,200m hit-out at Sha Tin on Thursday morning.
(1) Hong Kong Squash Open: Sabrina Sobhy secures memorable win over sister in first round
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
In a landmark match at the Hong Kong Squash Open, American player Sabrina Sobhy, 28, secured her first professional victory against her older sister Amanda Sobhy in a thrilling 54-minute first-round encounter. Sabrina fought back from behind multiple times to claim a dramatic 9-11, 14-12, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6 win, expressing disbelief and emotional satisfaction after a decade of tournament losses to her sister.
The victory was particularly meaningful for Sabrina, who had lost to Amanda six weeks earlier at the US Open. She noted that the Hong Kong setting—with less media attention and family pressure—allowed for better focus. Despite their competitive intensity, both sisters emphasized that their relationship remains unaffected, valuing mutual respect and understanding of their professional careers.
The event also featured notable moments, including Egyptian player Hania El Hammamy advancing by walkover after her opponent failed to appear, while compatriot Nour El Sherbini came from behind to defeat England’s Jasmine Hutton. In the men’s draw, defending champion Mostafa Asal praised Hong Kong’s organization after a straight-game win, and Wales’ Joel Makin survived a five-set battle to progress.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3334799/hong-kong-squash-open-sabrina-sobhy-secures-memorable-win-over-sister-first-round?module=top_story&pgtype=section
(2) Hong Kong badminton player slams ‘outrageous’ state of Youth Olympics medal lent to HKSI
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Hong Kong badminton player Yoyo Ng Tsz-yau has publicly called out the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) after her 2014 Youth Olympic Games gold medal was returned to her in poor condition. The mixed-doubles medal, won with Malaysian partner Cheam June Wei at the Nanjing Games, had been on loan to the HKSI for display for the past decade. When it was finally sent back in 2025 following renovation work, Ng discovered large patches of sticky adhesive tape residue covering the surface.
Posting a photo on social media, the visibly upset athlete wrote: “This is so outrageous. I lent this medal to the Hong Kong Sports Institute for display 10 years ago. Now they returned it to me and it looks like this. Are you kidding me?” The image quickly drew sympathy from the public and sparked criticism of the institute’s handling of athletes’ prized possessions.
The HKSI admitted the mistake, explaining that staff had forgotten to remove display tape before the medal was taken down in March and forwarded to the badminton department. Ron Lee, director of community relations and marketing, described it as carelessness and confirmed the institute would apologise to Ng and arrange professional cleaning. Ng has since handed the medal back to the HKSI, saying she trusts they will now “handle it properly.”
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3334945/hong-kong-badminton-player-slams-outrageous-state-youth-olympics-medal-lent-hksi?module=top_story&pgtype=section
(3) Premier League considers 2026 Summer Series in Asia
(Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES)
The Premier League is exploring the possibility of holding a four-club pre-season Summer Series in Asia next year, with Hong Kong and Shenzhen identified as potential host cities. While no concrete plans are finalized, clubs have been consulted for their input, marking a potential return of the league’s official pre-season tournament to Asia after its 2023 and 2024 editions were held in the United States.
The proposal is notable as it would coincide with a major international tournament—the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup concluding on July 19, 2026—raising renewed concerns about player workload. Global players’ union Fifpro highlighted that Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo played 71 competitive matches in 2024, underscoring the increasing physical demands on players due to expanded club and international calendars.
The Premier League has confirmed the 2026-27 season will begin on August 22, creating a potential window for a three-match Summer Series between August 1-8. This would allow a two-week break for players eliminated in the World Cup’s last 16, aligning with the recovery period given to clubs like Manchester United and West Ham in previous summers, though the compressed schedule continues to fuel debate over player welfare.
News Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c4g98reg3l1o
(4) Galaxy Patch and Helios Express on track to peak at Hong Kong International Races after dirt trial
(Photo Credit: Kenneth Chan/HK Racing)
Jockeys James McDonald and Hugh Bowman expressed strong confidence in their mounts Galaxy Patch and Helios Express following a high-profile trial at Sha Tin on Thursday, ahead of the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR). Helios Express, under Bowman, finished a solid second in a 1,200m dirt trial, while McDonald reported Galaxy Patch has improved since his recent Group Two victory and delivered a promising trial ahead of the Hong Kong Mile.
Bowman highlighted Helios Express’s stronger trial form and physical condition, noting the John Size-trained sprinter is “in great order” and poised for a peak performance in the Hong Kong Sprint. McDonald, who will ride Galaxy Patch in the Mile, stated the horse has gained confidence and appears to have “taken a good step forward,” positioning him as a serious contender against rivals like Voyage Bubble and My Wish.
Other notable trial participants included Hong Kong Vase runner Ka Ying Generation, who was not fully tested, and Purton-mounted Voyage Bubble, who was eased in preparation for a mile return. Bowman also praised Massive Sovereign (Hong Kong Cup) and Moments In Time (Vase) as progressing well, while Size’s Vase entrants Bundle Award and Ensued had quiet trials ahead of the December feature races.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3335151/galaxy-patch-and-helios-express-track-peak-hong-kong-international-races-after-dirt-trial
