Latest news with #HongKongBulls
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong Bulls race against time to find venue for Chinese basketball play-offs
Reigning champions Hong Kong Bulls have been left without a venue for China's National Basketball League play-offs this month, after the governing body ruled Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai was not up to standard. Advertisement The Hong Kong outfit are one of eight teams in the Chinese second-tier league this season. They have confirmed receipt of a warning letter from the Chinese Basketball Association, stating there is insufficient space between the stands – the goalposts – and the walls. The NBL's standards are on par with the requirements of the sport's world governing body, Fiba, whose Level 1 matches require a minimum of two metres of unobstructed space. The post-season, which features four teams, will run between August 30 and September 25, with the final a best-of-seven series. The Post understands that the Bulls are still actively looking for other venue options in the city to stage their play-off matches. Sources said that Hong Kong Coliseum was already found to be 'off limits' and had to be booked a full year in advance. Southorn Stadium has been deemed not up to standard by the NBL. Photo: Handout 'Kai Tak Arena could be available for some of the best-of-five semi-final series matches, but it is unlikely it could accommodate all three home matches,' the source said.
South China Morning Post
05-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Chinese Basketball Association could bring back promotion, relegation in expansion plans
The return of promotion and relegation in the top-tier Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league competition could be on the cards, amid reported plans by the sport's governing body in China to expand the midseason CBA Cup tournament to include teams from the lower division. And the Hong Kong Bulls, reigning champions in the National Basketball League (NBL), which is China's second-tier basketball league, could be among the first teams to benefit if they reach the playoffs this season. Doing so would allow them to join the CBA Cup tournament later this year. Leo Sun Xinwei, general manager of the Bulls, said it was likely the top four teams in the NBL would join the 20-team CBA Cup in two phases, in December and next February. 'I believe we could have the opportunity to participate in this competition. Playing in it would mean we can gauge the situation of operating a team at the top level, and understand the gap with the CBA teams. Leo Sun Xinwei, general manager of the Hong Kong Bulls. Photo: Handout 'We could be of similar standard, but these are opportunities to learn more as a team, and it will allow the Bulls to develop and grow further.'
South China Morning Post
25-06-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's Wu on overcoming the odds to chase his professional basketball dream
Rex Wu Wai-tsun knows he is fighting against the odds to fulfil his dream of playing basketball alongside the region's elite, but hopes competing in China's second tier will take him a step closer to making that a reality. At 6ft (1.82 metres), the 20-year-old Hongkonger is small by the standards of the modern game, but Wu, who has been chasing his goal for a decade, is used to defying expectations. Now, having joined Hong Kong Bulls for their third season in the National Basketball League, he has his eyes on a rapid rise. 'I want to play outside Hong Kong,' Wu said. 'I'd like to challenge myself in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) or in Japan's B League. 'My target is to be able to play [in those leagues] by the time I am 24. I love this sport and have spent so much time on it growing up. I have been persistent all along and I don't want to give up midway.' The Hong Kong Bulls will compete against seven other sides in the NBL starting on Saturday. Photo: Handout Expected to lead the city's under-22 side at the National Games in November, Wu said he had dreamed of becoming a professional since he was a child.
