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Ada Li

Two-time Asian Games gold medallist Salom Yiu Kam-shing is aiming to unearth the next generation of local rugby sevens stars for Hong Kong.
The 38-year-old, who retired after the 2024 Hong Kong Sevens, represented the city in the tournament for 14 years and made a city record 75 appearances in the shorter format. He is also Hong Kong’s all-time leading scorer in 15s rugby, with 20 tries from 49 appearances.
After calling time on his career, Yiu joined Hong Kong China Rugby to aid local talent development, and he leads the Dragons Programme, a performance initiative aimed at nurturing home-grown players that was relaunched last year.
“I’m enjoying the work because I’m helping more local rugby players to improve, and witnessing up-and-coming local players’ development,” Yiu said.
“I hope more Chinese people will take part in this sport.”
With Cado Lee Ka-to injured, Fong Kit-fung was the only local player in the city team that claimed the Melrose Claymores title at last week’s Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

Fong acknowledged he had felt additional pressure as the the lone homegrown player, although the 28-year-old was happy with how he managed the responsibility.
Empathising with Fong, Yiu said. “I really feel for him, because for many years I was often the only Chinese player. He must be under a lot of pressure, so I kept encouraging him to focus on his performance and not put too much pressure on himself.
“Chinese players on the field can give home fans a greater sense of belonging, so I’m very happy that Fong played so well, and was a mainstay in every match.
“I hope he can keep this performance going and be selected for the Asian Games [in October].”
For Fong’s part, he hoped his progress could help pave the way for more Hong Kong born-and-raised players to flourish in the city team.
“One of the meanings of the Hong Kong Sevens is to attract more Chinese people to play rugby,” Fong said. “In the past there was Yiu and Lee, and now it’s me.
“We have a few Chinese players in the [squad], but maybe the coaches still do not have enough confidence to select them. Hong Kong parents might also still be a bit hesitant [about their children playing rugby].
“I hope this shows that Chinese people can play rugby, and make the starting line-up of the Hong Kong team.”
Directly after Hong Kong’s Melrose Claymores final victory over Japan on Sunday, Yiu became the 50th inductee of the Hong Kong China Rugby Hall of Fame.
“I still cannot get used to being here without competing at the Sevens,” said Yiu, who took his son onto the Kai Tak Stadium playing field to witness his induction.
“I hope that when he grows up, if he becomes an athlete, he can look back at this group photo.”


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Hong Kong Sevens

Salom Yiu, here at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2019, now works on local talent development. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Fong Kit-fung was the city team’s only local at last week’s Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong a magnet for ‘world-class’ sport as Manchester City and Chelsea games confirmed

Former stars (back row, left to right) Shaun Wright-Phillips, Christian Vieri, Roberto Di Matteo and Edgar Davids at the launch of the 2026 Hong Kong Football Festival. Photo: Elson Li

Erling Haaland celebrates Manchester City’s victory over Arsenal on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Nicolo Barella (No 23) is mobbed by teammates after scoring in Inter’s win over Cagliari on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua

Matteo Avitabile goes on the charge for Hong Kong during their Melrose Claymores final on Sunday against Japan. Photo: Karma Lo

South Africa captain Impi Visser takes the fight to Spain during the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Karma Lo

The likes of Australia’s Maddison Levi are inspiring the next generation, Pinder says. Photo: Sam Tsang

Sport

Rugby

HK Sevens

The 38-year-old, who retired in 2024, was inducted into the Hong Kong China Rugby Hall of Fame after the city team beat Japan on Sunday


The 38-year-old, who retired in 2024, was inducted into the Hong Kong China Rugby Hall of Fame after the city team beat Japan on Sunday.


Hong Kong China Rugby

Hong Kong rugby legend Salom Yiu hunting next generation of local stars

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The 38-year-old, who retired in 2024, was inducted into the Hong Kong China Rugby Hall of Fame after the city team beat Japan on Sunday

The 38-year-old, who retired in 2024, was inducted into the Hong Kong China Rugby Hall of Fame after the city team beat Japan on Sunday