Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 68 Week of 8 June 2026
(1) Jockey Club launches Home of Football campaign and partners with Lenovo to celebrate global football spectacle
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has launched its Home of Football campaign alongside the World Cup 2026, partnering with Lenovo to boost sports entertainment and tourism. With AI-powered fan experiences at Happy Valley and extended live match screenings across the city, the initiative aims to strengthen Hong Kong’s profile as a regional football hub.
(2) Lan Kwai Fong chairman Allan Zeman expects fans to ‘go crazy’ for World Cup
Lan Kwai Fong expects packed crowds throughout the Fifa World Cup despite many matches falling during workday mornings in Hong Kong. With all 104 games to be screened, plus fan zones, live music and themed events, organisers hope football fever will also help boost the city’s nighttime economy.
(3) Hong Kong China Rugby emerges victorious in a massive 45-9 win over South Korea, claiming a seventh straight Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship in-a-row
Scoring 7 tries, Hong Kong brushes aside South Korea with a landslide win, reclaiming the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship for the seventh straight year. During the game, South Korea was never close to penetrating Hong Kong’s defense, proving them strong enough to compete alongside long-standing rugby nations at Australia’s 2027 Rugby World Cup.
(4) China looking to the future by selecting young women’s table tennis team for Asian Games
China has named a youthful women’s table tennis team for the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games, signalling an early focus on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. With three players in their early twenties selected, the squad reflects a broader push to test emerging talent while maintaining the country’s dominance in the sport.
(1) Jockey Club launches Home of Football campaign and partners with Lenovo to celebrate global football spectacle
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has officially launched its landmark “Home of Football” campaign, timed alongside the kick-off of the world’s largest football showcase. In a major corporate move designed to elevate local sports entertainment, the Club has entered a strategic partnership with Lenovo, the Official Technology Partner of the FIFA World Cup 2026. This cross-industry collaboration aims to boost regional tourism and position Hong Kong as a premier global hub for sports culture.
A key pillar of the campaign is the “Racing with Football” activation series at the Happy Valley Racecourse during its popular Happy Wednesday events. Attendees can experience the Lenovo Experience Booth, an advanced, AI-powered interactive zone showcasing how next-generation technology transforms live sports analytics and fan engagement. Notably, Hong Kong stands as the only international city outside the official World Cup host territories to feature this specific immersive setup.
To maximize community reach, the initiative extends well beyond the racetrack. Starting June 12, twenty-three off-course betting branches will implement extended operating hours on designated match days, opening as early as 8:00 AM to live-stream games for local supporters. The Club is also collaborating with prominent digital content creators to produce exclusive media showcasing the cultural vibrancy of the host nations, which will broadcast across social platforms and MTR train networks throughout the tournament.
(2) Lan Kwai Fong chairman Allan Zeman expects fans to ‘go crazy’ for World Cup
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman Allan Zeman expects Hong Kong’s best known nightlife district to draw heavy crowds throughout the Fifa World Cup, even though many matches will be played during morning hours and on working days in the city.
The tournament, running from 11 June to 19 July, will be screened across Lan Kwai Fong as part of a six-week Fifa World Cup Summer Frenzy Carnival organised with official broadcaster Now TV. More than 20 bars and restaurants are taking part, while all 104 matches will be shown on large outdoor screens alongside themed decorations, fan zones and photo installations.
Zeman said past experience showed that committed supporters would turn out regardless of kick-off times, noting that fans had previously gathered for matches played as early as 3am or 5am. He added that the World Cup’s once every four years appeal, combined with the district’s stadium like atmosphere, should keep crowds coming throughout the tournament.
The longer format of this year’s competition is also expected to sustain foot traffic, with Zeman predicting full houses on most nights and especially intense crowds for the final. Live music, street performances and dedicated fan areas during the closing weekend are also planned.
Now TV parent HKT said the initiative is intended not only to capture football fever, but also to help revive Hong Kong’s nighttime economy by encouraging residents to go out and spend more during the six week event.
(3) Hong Kong China Rugby emerges victorious in a massive 45-9 win over South Korea, claiming a seventh straight Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship in-a-row
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
On 7 June 2026, Hong Kong China Rugby took on South Korea at the Hong Kong Football Club, securing themselves as seven-time consecutive Champions following the final game of the tournament.
The performance formed a stark contrast with the narrow 15-14 win in Columbo, against Sri Lanka late last month. Forming a full-strength squad this time around, the mismatch between Hong Kong and Korea’s individual skills was evident. Hong Kong not only dominated in open play but also at set pieces.
Despite only brandishing a score of 12-9 going in to half-time, Hong Kong scrum-half Brandon Nell comes out in the second half with all cylinders firing, picking up the ball from the scrum and running clear of Korean defence, chipping the ball over Korea’s last man, fullback Ki-Min Kim, before regathering it and dotting under the posts.
Coming off a win in this tournament, Hong Kong’s morale looks to be at a new high. Their performance is on top form heading into the charge against South American rugby, taking on Samoa, Chile and Uruguay in a three-match series later this year in July.
(4) China looking to the future by selecting young women’s table tennis team for Asian Games
(Photo Credit: Xinhua / SCMP)
China’s women’s table tennis squad for the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games suggests the country is already planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with selectors giving clear priority to youth and long-term development.
Under criteria released by the Chinese Table Tennis Association in May, the five-player team was built around current rankings and future potential. World number one Sun Yingsha and world number two Wang Manyu qualified through the singles standings, while 22-year-old Kuai Man earned her place as the highest ranked Chinese player in doubles and mixed doubles who had not already secured selection. Another place was reserved for a player born on or after 1 January 2004, which went to 21-year-old Chen Yi and effectively ruled out more experienced players such as Chen Xintong and Wang Yidi.
The final berth went to 21-year-old Fan Shuhan, who emerged from an internal trial after defeating Qin Yuxuan in a deciding match. Fan, who was born in Hubei in 2004, took up table tennis as a child to improve her health and has steadily risen through local, city and provincial teams. Her recent progress includes junior titles in Doha and notable wins on the professional circuit.
The squad signals more than selection for a regional event. It reflects China’s effort to test a younger generation on a major stage as it prepares for the next Olympic cycle while defending its long-standing dominance in Asian table tennis.
