Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 84 Week of 28 September 2026
(1) General Administration of Sport of China Reviews Asian Games Performance, Addressing Underperformance in Traditional Strengths Ahead of Los Angeles Olympics
At a delegation meeting, Gao Zhidan, Director of China’s General Administration of Sport, acknowledged underperformance in traditional strength events at the Asian Games. Citing gaps in talent depth and coaching, he urged teams to address shortcomings as a strategic preparation for the Los Angeles Olympics while enforcing strict anti-doping standards.
(2) Zhang Jike Names “Top Three Shakehand Players” in Table Tennis, Emphasizing Camaraderie and National Pride Over Individual Comparisons
Grand Slam champion Zhang Jike named himself, Ma Long, and Fan Zhendong as table tennis’s top three shakehand players. Responding to online debates comparing his peak to Fan’s, Zhang emphasized camaraderie and mutual respect, stating anyone who wins championships for Team China represents the absolute pinnacle of the sport.
(3) Pokémon UNITE Debuts as Official Esports Medal Event at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
Pokémon UNITE made its official medal event debut at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Competing at the Aichi Sky Expo, Hong Kong’s six-player squad advanced through the group stage into the quarter-finals, where they finished their Asian Games campaign following a 0-2 loss to the Philippines.
(4) Alibaba Group Becomes Official Technology and Cloud Services Partner of Brooklyn Nets, Deploying Real-Time 360-Degree Replay System at Barclays Center
Alibaba Group became the official technology and cloud services partner of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets in a multi-year deal. Starting in the 2026-27 season, Alibaba will deploy a real-time 360-degree replay system at Barclays Center and power interactive fan experiences like the “Nets Figure Lab” for the franchise’s 60th anniversary.
(1) General Administration of Sport of China Reviews Asian Games Performance, Addressing Underperformance in Traditional Strengths Ahead of Los Angeles Olympics
(Photo Credit: www.scio.gov.cn)
The Chinese Sports Delegation held a work meeting on the morning of September 27, 2026. Gao Zhidan, Head of the Chinese Sports Delegation, Director of the General Administration of Sport, and Party Branch Secretary, addressed the delegation regarding performance evaluations and mid-competition adjustments during the Asian Games.
Gao emphasized that while competing in an increasingly competitive international landscape, several traditional Chinese sports disciplines encountered stiff competition and failed to meet performance expectations. He noted that these results exposed key operational vulnerabilities, including gaps in talent depth, tactical on-site coaching, player conditioning, training organization, and team management—issues that require immediate attention and systematic resolution.
Framing the Asian Games as a critical “midterm examination” and training ground for the upcoming Los Angeles Olympic Games, Gao urged sports governing bodies and athletes to tackle remaining competition legs with heightened discipline and resolve.
Key operational directives included optimizing real-time tactical adjustments, strengthening ideological education and patriotism, maintaining strict anti-doping protocols, and conducting continuous performance reviews after each event to build competitive resilience ahead of future Olympic cycles.
News Source: https://www.dotdotnews.com/a/202609/27/AP6ab92865e4b02724bdb5c9e1.html
(2) Zhang Jike Names “Top Three Shakehand Players” in Table Tennis, Emphasizing Camaraderie and National Pride Over Individual Comparisons
(Photo Credit: Xinhua)
Former Chinese Olympic champion Zhang Jike generated significant online discussion during an interview when asked to evaluate the top table tennis players in the modern era. Zhang identified Fan Zhendong, Ma Long, and himself as the three strongest shakehand grip players in the history of the sport, jokingly adding that even if penhold grip players were included in the evaluation, the trio would still stand together at the absolute top.
All three athletes hold elite status in table tennis history as Grand Slam champions, having won singles titles across the Olympics, World Championships, and World Cup. Zhang Jike achieved the fastest Grand Slam in history, completing the feat in just 445 days. Ma Long stands as the sole male player in history to achieve a “Double Grand Slam” by winning each of the three major singles titles at least twice. Fan Zhendong solidified his place among the greats after securing the men’s singles gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, becoming China’s fifth male Grand Slam winner.
When asked during a live broadcast to directly compare his peak skill level with Fan Zhendong, Zhang dismissed divisive comparisons, emphasizing that both remain close teammates and brothers. He noted that every athlete who wins a championship for Team China represents the “strongest of the strong,” placing collective national sports achievement above personal rivalry.
News Source: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202609/29/AP6abb3866e4b01d54a285392c.html
(3) Pokémon UNITE Debuts as Official Esports Medal Event at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
(Photo Credit: Sports Road)
The 5v5 multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) title Pokémon UNITE officially debuted as a recognized medal event in the esports discipline at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The decision, initially announced by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in early 2025, brought the popular 2021 console and mobile title into the formal international multi-sport arena.
Representing Hong Kong, China, a six-player roster comprising Justin Chan, Pang Ka Kit, Rico Tsui, Loo Kin Shing, Jazkit Chan, and Chan Kam Tung competed at the Aichi Sky Expo venue. The Hong Kong squad demonstrated strong tactical cohesion during the preliminary stages, successfully securing a place in the knockout rounds.
In the quarter-final round, Team Hong Kong faced off against a formidable squad from the Philippines. Despite spirited strategic plays in the best-of-three series, Hong Kong ultimately suffered a 0-2 defeat, concluding their Asian Games campaign in the top eight. The inclusion of Pokémon UNITE highlights the ongoing expansion of digital gaming franchises into mainstream international athletic tournaments and regional sports diplomacy.
(4) Alibaba Group Becomes Official Technology and Cloud Services Partner of Brooklyn Nets, Deploying Real-Time 360-Degree Replay System at Barclays Center
(Photo Credit: hket)
Alibaba Group announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment (BSE), making Alibaba the official technology and cloud services partner of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets as the franchise celebrates its 60th-anniversary season.
Beginning with the 2026-27 NBA season, Alibaba’s advanced proprietary technology will support the deployment of a real-time 360-degree replay system at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. This cutting-edge integration is designed to enhance officiating accuracy, speed up game review processes, and deliver immersive visual angles for live broadcasts. Furthermore, fans visiting the arena will be able to interact with the “Nets Figure Lab,” a digital activation allowing attendees to generate personalised collectible cards.
The collaboration underscores Alibaba’s deepening footprint in global sports infrastructure, merging cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital media solutions with premier North American sports entertainment properties. By upgrading arena technology and broadcast capabilities, the partnership aims to elevate fan engagement both inside the stadium and across international digital channels.
