Hong Kong hosting National Games basketball could be the start of ‘bigger’ things for sport
City officials say just playing host to better sides will not only improve the team but also lead to more tournaments in the future
Local basketball officials have said that staging the National Games’ men’s under-22 tournament in Hong Kong could prove to be a stepping stone to something “bigger” in the future.
Set to be held at the Coliseum from November 10 to 20, the competition could be a milestone for Hong Kong, and not only in showcasing its ability to host a big event, senior officials said.
Benny Chau Chi-yan, manager of the city’s men’s U22 team, said the sport had been playing catch-up since the pandemic, which “set us back in basketball development.
“There is nothing better than finally hosting a major basketball event in Hong Kong,” Chau said. “To have our fans supporting our up-and-coming players at home is the best thing for us after the string of unfortunate events involving our national team.”