Hong Kong padel players eye Asian Games selection as FIP Bronze event gets under way
Sport will be a medal event at the multi-sport event in Japan later this year, adding extra motivation to this week’s tournament
Hong Kong’s padel players have more to fight for than ranking points at the FIP Bronze tournament in the city this week, they are also battling for Asian Games recognition.
The sport was awarded medal status for the competition in Japan later this year, and the city’s athletes have some catching up to do if they want to be part of the occasion.
Not that September’s Games are the main focus for players or the newly formed Hong Kong China Padel Association (HKCPA), which is hoping to become the governing body for the sport in the city, with a World Cup and the carrot of professionalism also on the horizon.
“It’s a real honour that padel is now included as an Asian Games event,” Chow Chun-ho, a former tennis player who turned professional last year, said. “It may give us a chance to represent Hong Kong.”
Now ranked in Asia’s top 20, with a global International Padel Federation (FIP) ranking of 507, Chow said the move could boost the sport’s development across the region.
“After hearing about the Asian Games, I’ve dedicated more time to physical training and my practice schedule,” the 25-year-old said, adding he was “definitely confident” of having the chance to represent his city at the Games.