World champion fencer Ryan Choi arrives home to hero's welcome in Hong Kong
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South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Pakistan-born footballer aims to play for Hong Kong while serving the community
A Pakistan-born footballer has set himself the unusual twin target of playing for Hong Kong while maintaining a parallel career in civic life. Advertisement Naveed Khan scored 22 goals for Central & Western District last season, after stepping down to play in Division One while he concentrated on his job with Kowloon City District Council. The 25-year-old, who rejected a Pakistan call-up in 2019, has been snapped up by Hong Kong Football Club for the forthcoming Premier League campaign. 'I knew a Premier League team would come for me,' Khan said. 'I was hoping others would, but it was only HKFC, and I'm very grateful to them for this opportunity.' Head coach Chancy Cooke's semi-professional HKFC team typically train for two hours from 8am, freeing Khan to then spend eight hours in the office assisting district council member Dr Rizwan Ullah. Naveed Khan (second left) models the new Football Club away kit. Photo: Hong Kong Football Club 'People from ethnic minorities come to us for help,' said Khan, who was taught by Ullah at school.
South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
National Games shaping up to be a milestone in Greater Bay Area integration
The role of sport in bringing people closer together is well recognised. It is not confined to international competition between countries and individuals. Sport can cement national and regional unity. The coming National Games in the Greater Bay Area, in which Hong Kong has a prominent role as a co-host, is a case in point. The 100-day countdown to the opening ceremony began at the weekend. The high-level observance and fanfare in Greater Bay Area cities is testament to elevated expectations of Hong Kong and other co-hosts. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, attending both the local and Shenzhen countdown ceremonies, pledged that Hong Kong would provide an ' unforgettable experience'. The games, from November 9 to 21, will showcase more than 400 events across 34 sports, with Hong Kong hosting eight – fencing, men's under-22 basketball, track cycling, golf, men's handball, rugby sevens, triathlon and beach volleyball, plus two cross-border events – the marathon and road cycling – that will be co-hosted with Macau and Guangdong. In terms of cross-border arrangements and logistics involving athletes, officials and spectators, the games are looming as a bigger test than the mega-event debut of Kai Tak Stadium. The government expects 100,000 visitors from the mainland and overseas, accounting for up to 25 per cent of spectators. Coordinating the logistics across multiple venues will be a challenge. Thankfully, many young people have already answered the call for volunteers. The games are shaping up to be a milestone in Hong Kong's regional and national integration. Lee is in no doubt about their importance in putting the city on the global and regional sporting map. He pledged to focus on optimising the competition, refining services and strengthening safety.
South China Morning Post
12 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong cycling medal hope Ceci Lee shows National Games promise in Australia
Ceci Lee Sze-wing has delivered a timely reminder of her potential to become Hong Kong's National Games poster girl, as the city began its 100-day countdown to co-hosting the showpiece. The cyclist claimed a notable victory in a criterium race on Saturday in Brisbane, where the Hong Kong team are holding a month-long training camp. And on Sunday, Lee, 24, was second behind teammate Chloe Leung Wing-yee in a nip-and-tuck road race. Although Lee is desperately keen to take omnium gold in her hometown in November, she has been busily refining her road skills under endurance coach Ben Kersten. Not that she lacks pedigree for it: in 2021, Lee stunned a high-class field to become Hong Kong's first National Games road race champion at the age of 20. 'I'm learning more about how to find a good position for the final sprint, but also how my teammates can help me do that,' Lee said. 'The best teams form a good chain for a lead-out, and we're working on it a lot for the National Games. The course will be nearly all flat, so it's very likely to be a bunch sprint at the end.' Vincent Lau (left) aims champagne at road race winner Rayann Lacheny and third-placed Australian Ben Carman. Photo: Cycling Association of Hong Kong, China Kersten had an immediate impact following his appointment in March, when the Australian led a female Hong Kong quartet including Lee and Leung to Tour of Thailand success.
