China fast catching American football fever with 10 teams formed
There has been an explosion of interest on the mainland, with 10 teams formed in 18 months
While there may not be any NFL games planned in China, American football is taking off. In the past 18 months, 10 teams have formed, the first of their kind in the country.
While the players are amateurs and pay for their own equipment, the teams have created a scene reminiscent of the early days of the game in the US. More than 100 years ago, teams were formed to play what was then a college game, eventually morphing into the National Football League (NFL), the most popular sport in the US.
Over the past few years, it's become common to see a pigskin being tossed around at King's Park in Kowloon. Flag football tournaments have been held since 2003 and the sport has a strong following among locals through the popular Japanese manga, Eyeshield 21.
Last April, the Hong Kong American Football League (HKAFL) was established with plans of organising a flag football league. However, competing agendas among teams led to HKAFL president Alex Berriman changing course.
"Geared football wasn't expected to arrive for at least two to three years, but we thought starting the Hong Kong Cobras was the best way to bring all the football players together with a common ground," he said.
The Cobras' first practice was last December with many of the players using their HK$6,000 tax rebate to purchase football gear. The team now have over 80 players signed up for game day and have played three times, including a home and away series against the Philippines. Much to Berriman's surprise, the team primarily comprises local players, although more expatriates have been joining recently.