Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 52 Week of 16 February 2026
(1) Shot in the arm for Hong Kong pickleball as city player Ryan Lam tops global rankings
Hong Kong’s Ryan Lam Chun-hei has claimed the top spot in the World Pickleball Championship’s inaugural 2026 combined rankings.
(2) Hong Kong doubles sports budget to $9.2 billion: John Lee
Chief Executive John Lee announced Hong Kong’s sports budget has doubled over the past decade. He praised athletes for record medal hauls at the National Games and disability games and highlighted plans for stronger sports ties across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau.
(3) Hong Kong cycling head coach Herve Dagorne plans legacy goals after signing new contract
French coach Herve Dagorne extended his Hong Kong cycling contract by two years. He recently guided the team to Asian Championship medals, including mixed relay gold. Dagorne now focuses on building sustainable staff and infrastructure for long-term success through 2032.
(4) Hong Kong skier Eloise King intent on ‘finding the rhythm’ on her Winter Olympics debut
Hong Kong alpine skier Eloise King Yung-shih, 21, is set to make her Olympic debut in the women’s slalom in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Inspired by cousin Audrey’s Beijing 2022 experience, she overcame challenges, including a tough 2025 World Championships, and now aims to deliver Hong Kong’s best result.
(1) Shot in the arm for Hong Kong pickleball as city player Ryan Lam tops global rankings
(Photo Credit: Handout)
Hong Kong’s Ryan Lam Chun-hei has claimed the top spot in the World Pickleball Championship’s inaugural combined rankings for 2026. He ranks second in men’s singles behind Hungary’s Bako Balint Gergo. Lam sits third in men’s doubles and second in mixed doubles. In the men’s 19-plus category, he leads with 51,100 points.
Lam, aged 29, calls this milestone just the start. He quit corporate roles at companies like Uber in the US and Canada to turn pro nearly a year ago. He signed with local club TLP Dalian Pai as part of Hong Kong’s first professional pickleball group. Pickleball has surged in Hong Kong over the past six months. Lam points to more courts, new players, and local leagues as drivers.
Hong Kong reached the finals at the 2025 Pickleball World Cup in Florida against 68 nations. This shows the city’s global standing despite its size. Recently, Lam won gold in elite men’s doubles and silver in mixed doubles at the LIT TLP X LUZZ Championship in Guangdong. He lost the mixed final to clubmates Nikita Tang Nok-yiu and Julian Chow Jo-yi.
Lam prioritizes coaching and mentoring young talents over rankings. He views rankings as a result of daily dedication. Tang beat Lam and noted rising Hong Kong player levels. More locals now compete internationally and train abroad. Lam welcomes rivalries, even with friends like Tang, for growth.
Early on, Hong Kong players trained on football pitches without proper courts. They still hosted top global talent. Lam says results come before major city investment. He expects fiercer local competition soon. World No. 1 status adds pressure, but Lam focuses on improvement.
(2) Hong Kong doubles sports budget to $9.2 billion: John Lee
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced that Hong Kong’s current fiscal year sports development budget surpasses HK$9.2 billion. This marks more than double the HK$4.3 billion spent a decade earlier.
Lee spoke at a commendation event for the SAR delegation to the 15th National Games, 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities, and 9th National Special Olympic Games. He noted that Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau will build on the National Games hosting success to enhance sports collaboration.
Hong Kong athletes delivered record results. They earned 31 medals at the National Games: 12 gold, eight silver, and 11 bronze. The team placed top eight in 19 events and won additional group prizes.
In the disability and special games, Hong Kong secured 142 medals: 52 gold, 50 silver, and 40 bronze. Lee praised the athletes’ training dedication, resilience amid injuries, and teamwork. He said these qualities reflect sports’ core values and inspire the community.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/324352/Hong-Kong-doubles-sports-budget-to-92-billion-John-Lee
(3) Hong Kong cycling head coach Herve Dagorne plans legacy goals after signing new contract
(Photo Credit: Karma Lo / SCMP)
Herve Dagorne has signed a two-year contract extension as head coach of Hong Kong’s cycling team. The Frenchman described the renewal as an honour and pledged to build a sustainable future for the sport in the city.
Dagorne took charge in March 2024 and has already driven noticeable improvements. Last week, Hong Kong secured two medals at the Asian Road Championships in Saudi Arabia, including gold in the mixed relay time trial. Despite the progress, he acknowledged that many issues still require attention. He expressed a desire to remain involved until the 2032 Olympics, though he stressed that continued success depends on results.
The coach is focused on creating a strong legacy. He aims to assemble a dedicated team of young staff who will stay long-term and deliver even stronger performances. Dagorne is currently recruiting assistant and track endurance coaches. He seeks individuals who are passionate about cycling and willing to share expertise, with the goal that his assistants can eventually step into head coaching roles familiar with the program’s culture.
On the performance side, Dagorne plans to discuss the future of sprint coach Anthony Peden with the local cycling association and the Hong Kong Sports Institute. Peden’s contract expires in May, and the team has yet to claim a major sprint medal under his guidance.
For rider Chloe Leung Wing-yee, who won Asian individual time trial silver last week, Dagorne is prioritising a new bike frame to improve her aerodynamic position. He suggested she may skip September’s UCI Road World Championships to target the Asian Games road race in Japan, where the hilly course suits her strengths. He noted that her age and nationality have hindered World Tour opportunities, despite her talent and ongoing development.
Looking ahead, only Leung and Ceci Lee Sze-wing will represent Hong Kong’s women at next month’s UCI Track World Cup in Perth. Dagorne is working with the HKSI to help Lee recover from her recent disappointment in the Asian women’s road race and channel her high expectations positively.
(4) Hong Kong skier Eloise King intent on ‘finding the rhythm’ on her Winter Olympics debut
(Photo Credit: SF & OC)
Hong Kong alpine skier Eloise King Yung-shih has arrived in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, and says she feels ready for her Olympic debut in the women’s slalom. The 21-year-old views this as the first of what she hopes will be many appearances at the sport’s highest level.
King started skiing at four during family trips to Japan. Her passion grew at 13 after watching cousin Audrey King race, prompting her to attend a summer camp on Austrian glaciers. The excitement of real competition led her to join Hong Kong’s junior alpine squad. She debuted internationally at an FIS event in Bosnia and Herzegovina at 16.
Audrey, a Beijing 2022 Olympian, was a major influence and remains a key support. Eloise leaned on her cousin’s qualifying experiences when deciding to pursue her own Olympic path. The family link continues with Audrey’s sister Aerin, who raced at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics and Asian Winter Games. The three cousins share a close, sister-like bond from years of skiing together.
Hong Kong received one women’s alpine quota. Eloise earned the spot over Aerin based on FIS points after both qualified. They trained together for six months and stayed supportive despite the outcome.
Last year marked a breakthrough. After a career-best 13th in slalom at the Harbin Asian Winter Games, King faced brutal conditions and a dislocated shoulder at the 2025 FIS World Championships in Saalbach, Austria, yet finished both runs. The grit strengthened her resolve.
A Materials Science and Engineering student at Imperial College London, King balances demanding studies with training. She once doubted continuing after Worlds but found fresh drive in the finish-line adrenaline.
She prefers slalom for its rhythm and precise ski feel. As a Hong Kong flag bearer at the opening ceremony, she felt deeply honoured, joking about the flag’s surprising weight.
With her race days away, King is settled and determined to ski her best, finish strong, and post a solid result for Hong Kong skiing.
