World 5's tournament comes to Hong Kong today
Many fans this weekend will be watching the NHL playoffs in North America and the World Championships in Prague.
But Hong Kong, as the host of World Ice Hockey 5's tournament, will also see live action, from today through Saturday at Dragon Centre in Sham Shui Po. Six teams will compete in the International pool, while eight teams will play in the Asian pool.
Eight games will involve three women's teams - two from Hong Kong and one from Japan. Most of the men's teams are composed of local players, with visiting squads hailing from Macau and the Chinese cities of Chang Chung and Dalian.
The tournament was held in Kuala Lumpur in 2001 and 2002. Sars-related travel restrictions put paid to last year's event.
Tom Barnes, head of tournament organiser Asiasports, said: 'There are a lot of players in Hong Kong. We're supporting the local league [through the event.]'
The tournament in previous years was more international, but with an increasing number of regional ice hockey leagues hosting Hockey 5s events in Singapore, Bangkok and Seoul, some Asia-based players are choosing to travel less.
The small rink size and soft ice surface in Hong Kong also is a negating factor for overseas teams.
'We're still trying to get some proper facilities in Hong Kong,' said Barnes. He is looking at the possibility of holding next year's tournament in Shenzhen, where an Olympic-sized ice arena will open in December.
