Hong Kong college basketball system puts local teams at disadvantage, needs revamp: coach
James Chan Yik-lun said that while playing overseas in tournaments of higher standards could only bring positives, the 'extremely short' local season meant that Hong Kong college teams were underdone when they played against foreign opposition.
This was shown starkly last week when HKU, the reigning local intercollegiate champions, flew to Tokyo for the three-day World University Basketball Series and came away last Monday with two landslide losses in as many days.
HKU first fell 98-31 to the Japan University Select Team, before being humbled 102-48 by Taiwan's National Chengchi University.
Chan, who guided his team to their title in April, said playing few games over the season was one reason for the heavy losses.
HKU head coach James Chan (right) giving instructions to his players. Photo: Gym Aesthetics / WUBS
HKU, who are are preparing to compete in the inaugural AUBL in Hangzhou, played only eight competitive matches – winning seven – over the entire season from last November to April, including beating Lingnan University 73-68 in the final at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai to clinch their title.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong college basketball system puts local teams at disadvantage, needs revamp: coach
Hong Kong's intercollegiate system needs an overhaul if the city's teams are to compete on an even footing against foreign teams, said the University of Hong Kong (HKU) men's team head coach, as they gear up for the Asian University Basketball League this week. James Chan Yik-lun said that while playing overseas in tournaments of higher standards could only bring positives, the 'extremely short' local season meant that Hong Kong college teams were underdone when they played against foreign opposition. This was shown starkly last week when HKU, the reigning local intercollegiate champions, flew to Tokyo for the three-day World University Basketball Series and came away last Monday with two landslide losses in as many days. HKU first fell 98-31 to the Japan University Select Team, before being humbled 102-48 by Taiwan's National Chengchi University. Chan, who guided his team to their title in April, said playing few games over the season was one reason for the heavy losses. HKU head coach James Chan (right) giving instructions to his players. Photo: Gym Aesthetics / WUBS HKU, who are are preparing to compete in the inaugural AUBL in Hangzhou, played only eight competitive matches – winning seven – over the entire season from last November to April, including beating Lingnan University 73-68 in the final at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai to clinch their title.
RTHK
25-07-2025
- RTHK
Bid to facilitate travel for National Games spectators
Bid to facilitate travel for National Games spectators Eric Chan, second left, says Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong have set up a multi-tiered coordination system for the National Games. Photo: RTHK Chief Secretary Eric Chan said on Friday that Hong Kong is actively pursuing measures to simplify travel arrangements for mainland residents wishing to attend the National Games in November, calling it key to promoting convenient travel and deeper integration in the Greater Bay Area. For the first time, Hong Kong is co-hosting the Games alongside Guangdong and Macau. At a joint press conference in Beijing with representatives from all three hosting regions, Chan said the Games will further create new opportunities for sports exchanges, people-to-people connections and economic collaboration in the Greater Bay Area. "To facilitate mainland visitors coming to Hong Kong to watch the events, the organising committee is actively seeking measures for mainland residents to easily obtain travel permits to Hong Kong, allowing tourists to travel alongside the competitions and further promoting the integration of sports and tourism in the Greater Bay Area," he said. Chan said the three regions have established a multi-tiered coordination system, including regular meetings and cross-border working groups, to streamline logistics like spectator mobility. Echoing the focus on accessibility, Macau's Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, O Lam, revealed plans to extend travel permits for visitors attending events in Macau, aiming to enhance "connectivity of hearts" through "soft connectivity". Meanwhile, Wang Xi, standing committee member of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, said the online ticketing platform will be launched in early August. "In late August, we will release ticket resources in phases and by events according to the progress of the competition organisation. The prices of popular events are generally affordable, and some events adopt a reservation system," he said. Wang also noted that plans for the opening ceremony in Guangzhou and closing ceremony in Shenzhen are nearly finalised. Both events will spotlight Greater Bay Area culture, including Cantonese opera and music, and feature a unified entrance for athlete delegations from all three hosts. A 100-day countdown begins August 1 with Guangdong and Macau holding special events that day. The following day, Hong Kong will host a large-scale celebration, followed by a city-wide sports day. Tong Lixin, deputy director of the General Administration of Sport, said all competition venues are nearing readiness, the Games schedule is finalised and more than half of 68 test events have been completed. He said mass participation events are also underway, reinforcing the Games' community focus.
RTHK
24-07-2025
- RTHK
HK paddlers Chan and Yiu notch gold at World Uni Games
HK paddlers Chan and Yiu notch gold at World Uni Games Baldwin Chan (right) and Yiu Kwan-to celebrates after winning gold in the men's doubles. Photo courtesy of FISU Hong Kong, China table tennis duo Baldwin Chan and Yiu Kwan-to have claimed gold at the FISU World University Games in Germany following a dominant victory in the men's double final. The pair – who were up against Japan's Shunsuke Okano and Yuma Tanigaki – came out the gate swinging, winning the first two games 11-8 and 11-4 in the best-of-seven final. The SAR pair extended their lead to 3-0 after another 11-5 result in the third. With their backs against the wall, the Japanese opponents extended the tie by winning game four 11-8. But Chan and Yiu quickly recovered from the minor setback, taking the fifth game 11-3 and ending the contest in just 36 minutes. The victory comes after the SAR secured another medal in table tennis on Tuesday, when Chan and his mixed doubles partner Wong Hoi-tung earned a bronze following their semi-final defeat to China's Zeng Beixun and Han Feier.
