Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 66 Week of 25 May 2026
(1) The Buick LPGA Shanghai announces $3.2 million prize pot and venue shift
The top prize of a record-setting $3.2 million cements the Buick LPGA Shanghai event’s vitality as a major Asian and international tournament for women’s golf. The tournament will also move to the Sheshan Golf Club for the first time, furthering China’s golf growth and development.
(2) City calls for stronger fan culture as Hong Kong eyes more major sports events
As the city builds on its experience from hosting the National Games, lawmaker Vincent Cheng Wing-shun urges Hong Kong to bid for more Asian and international sports events, as well as help different sports accumulate event-hosting experience. This comes after a sharp rise in major sports event demand and strong fan appeal in the city.
(3) Wong’s a French Open lucky loser, while Chong makes WTA history for Hong Kong
Hong Kong breaks new ground in tennis as Coleman Wong Chak-lam secured a spot in the French Open main draw as a lucky loser, whilst Eudice Chong became the first player from the city to capture a WTA doubles title at the Morocco Open on Saturday.
(4) Hong Kong Soccer Sevens aiding former Premier League stars’ coaching ambitions
During the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens, former Premier League stars not only “got the juices flowing” on the field, but have also been trading coaching insights from their respective journeys. The All Stars team featuring Charlie Daniels, Hayden Mullins, Noel Hunt and Luis Boa Morte shared valuable time off pitch to connect to learn about football from a professional lens.
(1) The Buick LPGA Shanghai announces $3.2 million prize pot and venue shift
(Photo Credit: Microsoft Network)
Organizers announced on Monday that the Buick LPGA Shanghai event would feature a $3.2 million prize pot, the largest in women’s golf in Asia. The tournament has been hailed as a vital part of Asia’s women’s golf and a pivotal event for the development of golf in China, its status further cemented by the surge in the total purse. The Buick LPGA Shanghai, which was upgraded to “Hallmark Event” status last year, hopes to provide a stable and professional platform for Sino-foreign golf exchange through its international model and vision.
In addition to the prize, this year’s tournament will remain in Shanghai, despite scrutiny over the future of the event. This comes after extreme heat at the Shanghai Qizhong Garden Golf Club caused damaged putting greens and impacted players during last year’s tournament, which led to suggestions to move the event to an alternative venue, such as Hong Kong. Organizers have instead opted to host players at the prestigious Sheshan Golf Club for the first time since the tournament’s debut in 2018.
On top of its role of hosting the event, the Sheshan Golf Club also became a member of the tournament committee, allowing the deployment of better quality resources and raising the standard for the tournament as a world-class event. These changes solidify Shanghai’s flagship status on the LPGA schedule and Buick’s commitment to local golf development, which have greatly promoted golf culture in China.
The Buick LPGA Shanghai event will take place from 15 to 18 October 2026 later this year.
(2) City calls for stronger fan culture as Hong Kong eyes more major sports events
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
Hong Kong has hosted several major sports events, including the National Games and the annual Hong Kong Sevens, and continues to prove its rise as a major sports hub, with other diverse sporting events to be held throughout the rest of the year, such as the World Fencing Championships and the Hong Kong Football Festival, featuring some top European clubs. Lawmaker Vincent Cheng Wing-shun not only hopes that more top-tier world championship events could be held in Hong Kong, but also to gradually built the city’s event-hosting experience.
Cheng noted that Hong Kong holds strong appeal among overseas and mainland sports fans, adding that sports associations should now put more effort into encouraging audience participation through social media, a contrast to the traditional focus of athlete training and organizing competitions. He also suggested that the government should increasing funding for various levels of sporting competitions, in order to allow both athletes and organizers to gain more exposure.
In terms of bidding for major competitions such as the Asian Games or joining a Greater Bay Area big for the Olympics, Cheng mentioned the decision falls under national planning, however he insisted that Hong Kong has the capacity and room to grow, and should seek to host events such as the Asian Beach Games and the World University Games.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/news/article/332958/
(3) Wong’s a French Open lucky loser, while Chong makes WTA history for Hong Kong
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Hong Kong tennis enjoyed a landmark weekend as Coleman Wong Chak-lam reached the French Open main draw as a lucky loser and Eudice Chong captured the city’s first WTA doubles title.
Wong, 21, had fallen in the final round of men’s singles qualifying at Roland Garros, but was handed a place in the main draw after American Sebastian Korda withdrew through injury. Ranked world No 113, Wong had won his opening two qualifying matches before losing to Juan Carlos Prado Angelo in the third round. Because both Wong and Dutch top seed Jesper de Jong exited at the same stage, a draw was held to decide the lucky loser berth, with Wong securing the place.
The Hong Kong player will now face Belgium’s Alexander Blockx, the world No 36, on Sunday night. It will be Wong’s second appearance in a grand slam main draw after his breakthrough run to the third round of last year’s US Open. He previously met Blockx at an ATP Challenger event in the Dominican Republic in March, where he lost in three sets.
Elsewhere, Eudice Chong made history by becoming the first Hong Kong player to win a WTA doubles title. Partnering Belgium’s Magali Kempen, Chong defeated top seeds Aldila Sutjiadi and Vera Zvonareva in the Morocco Open final. The 30-year-old lifted the trophy at the fourth attempt and is set to rise from a career-high world No 78 to No 71.
(4) Hong Kong Soccer Sevens aiding former Premier League stars’ coaching ambitions
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Former Premier League players taking part in the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens say the tournament has offered more than a chance to relive their playing days, with the event also becoming a valuable space to exchange ideas from their early coaching careers.
The All Stars squad, featuring Charlie Daniels, Hayden Mullins, Noel Hunt and Luis Boa Morte, have been using their time in Hong Kong to discuss how different clubs operate and to compare lessons from their routes into management. Daniels, now coaching at Watford after a 17 year playing career, said the conversations had been especially useful because each former player brought experience from a different stage of the profession.
Daniels said former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe remained a major influence on his coaching philosophy, both for his tactical approach and for the way he handled players off the pitch. He credited Howe with creating the best dressing room environment of his career and praised the support he received from him during a difficult period in his personal life.
Now part of Watford’s coaching staff, Daniels described the move into management as daunting at first, but said communication, clarity and authority were essential to earning players’ trust. He also offered strong views on the wider game, defending Howe from criticism at Newcastle, questioning Tottenham’s recruitment and praising Bournemouth’s planning and long term vision. On the field, Daniels’ All Stars have reached the Masters semi finals in Hong Kong.
