Sport in Hong Kong

Due to British influence going as far back as the late 19th century, Hong Kong had an earlier introduction to Western athletics compared than other Asia regions.

[1] In terms of favourites, badminton (27.5%), swimming (24%), association football (soccer) (18.4%), basketball (9.8%), and tennis (3.8%) are the most popular sports.

In 2009, Hong Kong successfully organised the V East Asian Games and it was the biggest sporting event ever held in the territory.

Moreover, Hong Kong is equally impressive performance of athletes with disabilities in 2009, having won four world championships and two Asian Champions.

The primary sport in Hong Kong has been football due mainly to British influence going as far back as the late 19th century.

[4] Financial Secretary John James Cowperthwaite was one of the first government official to assist Hong Kong going into the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne Australia with a contribution estimate of HK$10,000.

[5] After World War II the Amateur Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong (ASF&OC) was established.

[6] A variety of sports are available in Hong Kong, with most having their own association, and many clubs and groups, along with provision by bodies such as YWCA and YMCA.

There are also local organisations that strive to help Hong Kong residents identify sports that are not broadly advertised enough.

Some of the notable current professionals includes athletes such as Tse Ying Suet/Tang Chun Man in the mixed doubles category reaching the highest world ranking of 2, and Ng Ka Long Angus in the Men's single discipline with the highest ranking of 6.

[11][2] Hong Kong's national basketball team regularly qualifies for the FIBA Asia Cup.

The Hong Kong Cricket Team qualified for 2014 ICC World Twenty20 and caused a major upset by defeating hosts Bangladesh.

[11] The traditional Chinese sport of dragon boat racing was originally held as part of the Duan Wu festivities in Hong Kong.

[14] In October 2021, Hong Kong's women's lacrosse team won bronze Dalmatia Cup in Split, Croatia.

In contrast to the People's Republic of China, it has had a continuous existence dating back over a hundred years, and is most notable for its sevens tournaments.

Hong Kong lost the bid to Doha at the OCA general meeting held in Busan, South Korea on 12 November 2000.

In Paris 2024, Vivian Kong became the third athlete to win a gold medal in the women's epee event, whilst Cheung Ka-long became the third fencer to retain his Olympic title by winning his second gold and Siobhán Bernadette Haughey took home two bronze medals.

The Hong Kong Sports Institute at Fo Tan, Sha Tin was the site of the show jumping and dressage events.

The cross-country phase of the three day event was held in Sheung Shui over both Beas River Equestrian Centre and Fanling Golf Course.

Organised by the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, the tournament is held annually at the last weekend of March as a two-and-a-half-day event.

Hong Kong participated in its first World Equestrian Games (WEG) in 2014 in Normandy France in Endurance, Show Jumping, and para-Dressage.

Hong Kong was announced as the host city of the 11th Gay Games, at a gala event at the Hotel de Ville in Paris, on 30 October 2017.

On 30 June 2016, the Federation of Gay Games announced that eleven cities had submitted their Letter of Intent to formally bid.

[17] Anaheim, Atlanta, Des Moines, Madison, Minneapolis and San Antonio decided not to pursue their option to bid.

Both Cape Town and Tel Aviv dropped out at this stage, stating an intention to bid for Gay Games XII in 2026.