Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 48 Week of 19 January 2026
(1) Hong Kong’s sevens heartbreak as World Rugby meddling plunges beaten city team into void
Head coach Jevon Groves’ side have semi-final victory snatched from grasp by Canada, who join Belgium in HSBC SVNS 2.
(2) South Korea plans joint UNESCO bid with North Korea for taekwondo as intangible heritage
South Korea selects taekwondo for joint UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage bid with North Korea, following Pyongyang’s 2024 solo application; decision expected at Xiamen session in late 2026.
(3) Wong Chun-ting, Doo Hoi-kam win mixed doubles title at WTT Doha challenge
Hong Kong’s Wong Chun-ting and Doo Hoi-kam won the mixed doubles title at WTT Star Contender Doha, defeating South Korea’s pair 3-1; first 2026 title since teaming up this year.
(4) South Korea’s women footballers threaten Asian Cup boycott over conditions
South Korea women’s football team threatened to boycott 2026 AFC Asian Cup matches over discriminatory travel, accommodation, and cost burdens compared to men’s team; KFA reviewing improvements internally.
(1) Hong Kong’s sevens heartbreak as World Rugby meddling plunges beaten city team into void
(Photo Credit: World Rugby)
Hong Kong’s rugby sevens team suffered a heartbreaking 24-19 sudden-death extra-time defeat to Canada in the HSBC SVNS 3 semi-final in Dubai on Sunday. Leading 19-14 with only 60 seconds remaining, Hong Kong conceded a try to Adam Doane to level the scores, before Thomas Isherwood scored the winning try two minutes into extra time, crushing Hong Kong’s hopes of reaching the final.
Due to World Rugby’s revamped sevens structure, the loss effectively ends Hong Kong’s meaningful campaign after only 56 minutes of competitive rugby this season, with their next significant fixtures not until the Asian Games in September. The victory qualified Canada—alongside Belgium, who beat Samoa 26-14—for a three-leg tournament in February and March that will determine qualification for the new HSBC SVNS World Championship Round.
After the devastating semi-final loss, a deflated Hong Kong side was unable to regroup for the third-place playoff, falling 26-5 to Samoa. The nature of the late collapse recalled previous last-gasp defeats in Olympic qualifiers against South Korea (2019) and Japan (2023), extending a pattern of narrow, painful losses that will linger with the team for some time.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3340325/hong-kongs-sevens-heartbreak-world-rugby-meddling-plunges-beaten-city-team-void?module=top_story&pgtype=subsection
(2) South Korea plans joint UNESCO bid with North Korea for taekwondo as intangible heritage
(Photo Credit: Yonhap)
South Korea’s Korea Heritage Service announced on Monday that taekwondo has been selected as the country’s next candidate for inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The move follows North Korea’s unilateral submission in March 2024 for “North Korean traditional martial art taekwondo,” which is currently under evaluation. In response, South Korea consulted stakeholders and opted to pursue a joint or expanded application with North Korea, aiming to present taekwondo as a shared cultural asset of the Korean peninsula rather than a divided one.
The South Korean government plans to submit supporting materials by March 2026 and will advance the process flexibly, keeping all possibilities open. The final decision on inscription will be made during the 21st session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, scheduled for November 30 to December 5, 2026, in Xiamen, China. Should the joint bid succeed, taekwondo would become only the second element inscribed jointly by both Koreas, following ssireum (traditional Korean wrestling), which was listed in 2018.
This initiative carries significant symbolic weight amid ongoing inter-Korean tensions. By seeking collaboration on a globally recognized martial art born on the peninsula, South Korea is attempting to use cultural diplomacy to foster dialogue and highlight shared heritage. The approach reflects a pragmatic strategy: acknowledging North Korea’s prior filing while reframing taekwondo as a unifying rather than competitive element. Success would reinforce taekwondo’s international status as a living tradition while offering a rare instance of North-South cooperation on the UNESCO stage.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/sports-news/article/322010/
(3) Wong Chun-ting, Doo Hoi-kam win mixed doubles title at WTT Doha challenge
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
Hong Kong’s table tennis duo Wong Chun-ting and Doo Hoi-kam secured the mixed doubles title at the WTT Star Contender Doha on Sunday, overcoming South Korea’s Kim Na-young and Park Gang-hyeon 3-1 in a hard-fought final.
After dropping the opening game 9-11, the world No.5 pair regained control with disciplined play and strong returns, winning the subsequent games 11-8, 11-9, and 11-5. This victory marks their first joint title in the 2026 season and their inaugural championship since forming a new mixed doubles partnership earlier this year.
The triumph provides Hong Kong table tennis with an encouraging launch to the competitive calendar. Wong Chun-ting, a seasoned performer and former world No.1 in doubles, brings tactical experience and consistency, while Doo Hoi-kam adds speed and aggressive looping to their combination. Their ability to recover swiftly from an early deficit highlights improved mental resilience and on-court chemistry, qualities that will be crucial as they target higher-tier events throughout the year.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/sports-news/article/321941/
(4) South Korea’s women footballers threaten Asian Cup boycott over conditions
(Photo Credit: AFP)
South Korea’s women’s national football team players, through the Korea Professional Footballers’ Association, issued a joint statement to the Korea Football Association (KFA) on September 26, 2025, threatening to boycott matches and suspend training for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup if conditions did not improve by October 17. The document, made public on Tuesday, detailed longstanding grievances including exhausting bus and economy-class travel, substandard accommodation distant from training venues, and players personally covering costs for airport transfers and training kits. The players highlighted a “clear and undeniable difference” in treatment compared to the men’s national team, noting they had endured these issues for years out of pride as national representatives.
The KFA confirmed receiving the statement and stated that it has been conducting an internal review and discussing step-by-step improvements since late last year. No immediate resolution was detailed, but the association emphasized ongoing dialogue. The ultimatum did not lead to a public boycott at the time, suggesting some progress may have been made internally, though full details remain undisclosed. The revelation comes just weeks before the 12-team Women’s Asian Cup, hosted in Australia from March 1 to 21, 2026, where South Korea is drawn in Group A alongside hosts Australia, Iran, and the Philippines.
This episode exposes persistent gender disparities in resource allocation within South Korean football, mirroring global patterns where women’s teams often receive significantly less support than men’s counterparts despite growing participation and performance. The players’ willingness to publicly threaten industrial action underscores increasing assertiveness among female athletes to demand equitable treatment. With the tournament approaching, the KFA faces pressure to deliver tangible upgrades to avoid potential disruptions and to align with broader efforts toward gender equity in sport. Failure to address these concerns could impact team morale, preparation, and South Korea’s prospects in a highly competitive continental showcase.
News Source: https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/1/20/south-korea-s-women-footballers-threaten-asian-cup-boycott-over-conditions-1547
