https://www.scmp.com/rss/523175/feed The latest news and top stories on Eric Fok Kai-shan, chairman of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China. He also serves as Vice-President of the East Asian Football Federation and a member of the Asian Football Confederation Executive Committee. Continuing a family legacy in sports administration, he has overseen Eastern District’s league entry and explored legalising football gambling for revenue. A third-generation scion of the family of the late Henry Fok, he is Vice Chairman of the... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Ada Li Ada Li Hong Kong’s football team ended their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-1 defeat in the dead-rubber match against India in Kochi on Tuesday, finishing the group stage under interim head coach Roberto Losada. Losada, who took over after the departure of Ashley Westwood in November, is one of the more than 300 applicants in the running for the permanent head coach role. Hong Kong headed into the match knowing that they were unable to qualify for the Asian Cup next year after losing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348671/hong-kong-coach-losada-ends-asian-cup-qualifying-campaign-defeat-and-mixed-feelings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348671/hong-kong-coach-losada-ends-asian-cup-qualifying-campaign-defeat-and-mixed-feelings?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:29:16 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Hong Kong football chiefs will “very soon” confirm the identity of the major European clubs that will play in the city this summer, with Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Juventus among the teams lined up to visit. Eric Fok Kai-shan, the chairman of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA), said his organisation had booked Kai Tak Stadium to host matches in early August. “We are ambitious and want to carry forward the football momentum and culture we created last year,” said Fok, who... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348245/hong-kong-football-chiefs-set-confirm-heavyweight-european-visitors-very-soon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348245/hong-kong-football-chiefs-set-confirm-heavyweight-european-visitors-very-soon?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 08:21:43 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara China table tennis great Ma Long received a rock star’s welcome as he made a guest appearance at Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University on Friday. A six-time Olympic gold medallist, Ma joined a panel discussion, then exhibited his enduring talent in front of a thrilled audience. As he made to leave the sports hall after trading shots with two leading university players, Ma disappeared amid a scrum of bodies hunting selfies and signatures. “That enthusiasm and excitement showed the power and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3347349/ma-long-receives-rock-star-welcome-hong-kong-china-great-attracts-thrilled-crowds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3347349/ma-long-receives-rock-star-welcome-hong-kong-china-great-attracts-thrilled-crowds?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:00:49 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Hong Kong football has won its battle to compete in the Asian Games this year, allaying fears that the city teams would be condemned to the same fate as their exiled basketball counterparts. The Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) has been petitioning the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) since it emerged that the 16 men’s teams that competed in this year’s AFC U-23 Asian Cup finals would occupy the Games spots, while the 12 women’s places would be filled by the countries contesting the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3346380/hong-kong-footballers-given-go-ahead-asian-games-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3346380/hong-kong-footballers-given-go-ahead-asian-games-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:00:27 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li The Hong Kong women’s football team made it home safely on Friday night after several anxious days stranded in Dubai following the US-Israel attacks on Iran, with members expressing relief at their return but disappointment about having to withdraw from a tournament. Twenty-seven players and staff landed in Hong Kong via Bangkok, where they had transited earlier in the week. One player flew from the Thai capital to Boston in the United States, while another is scheduled to leave Dubai for... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3345778/hong-kong-womens-football-team-happy-be-home-after-anxious-wait-dubai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3345778/hong-kong-womens-football-team-happy-be-home-after-anxious-wait-dubai?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:26:38 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Hong Kong’s football chief is ready to start his global hunt for a head coach and said he would be “watching very closely” when interim boss Roberto Losada has his latest audition this month. Losada will be in charge for Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year Cup game against FC Seoul on February 21, after it was confirmed on Monday that the one-off clash would replace the unloved legends matches staged for the two most recent editions of the 118-year-old fixture. Eric Fok Kai-shan, chairman of the Football... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3342136/hong-kong-football-chief-set-embark-head-coach-hunt-man-city-tipped-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3342136/hong-kong-football-chief-set-embark-head-coach-hunt-man-city-tipped-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:14 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Guangzhou officials have revived a proposal for the Greater Bay Area to host a Fifa World Cup, days after Hong Kong football boss Erik Fok Kai‑shan suggested an Asian Cup bid. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, a document titled Guangzhou’s Plan for Building a Sports-Strong City (2024–2035), released by the city government last July, has drawn fresh attention after the annual meeting of Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress and the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3341824/gba-officials-revive-prospect-world-cup-bid-after-hong-kong-boss-asian-cup-proposal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3341824/gba-officials-revive-prospect-world-cup-bid-after-hong-kong-boss-asian-cup-proposal?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jan 2026 09:30:11 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara A defiant Ashley Westwood has refused to apologise for Hong Kong’s crushing Asian Cup defeat at home to Singapore, and said he expected to continue as coach because “we’ve improved loads”. The punchy Englishman defended his handling of Tuesday night’s let-down at Kai Tak Stadium, where he picked a 41-year-old goalkeeper who had been on the international shelf for three years and left three of his best players on the bench when even a draw would have saved the day. Westwood claimed he had been... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3333391/hong-kong-boss-westwood-wont-apologise-or-quit-after-humiliating-singapore-loss?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3333391/hong-kong-boss-westwood-wont-apologise-or-quit-after-humiliating-singapore-loss?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Nov 2025 09:30:10 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Hong Kong’s footballers and coaches have been promised a HK$1 million (US$129,000) bounty if they overcome Singapore at Kai Tak Stadium next Tuesday. Victory would book the city’s team a spot at the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, while defeat would end their qualification hopes. The prize pot would be shared only by those who are involved against Singapore, meaning some players who featured in four earlier qualifiers would not get their hands on the cash. “We would like to show HKFA’s appreciation to all... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3332533/hong-kong-footballers-share-hk1-million-prize-if-they-beat-singapore?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3332533/hong-kong-footballers-share-hk1-million-prize-if-they-beat-singapore?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:08:34 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Football bosses have targeted a full Kai Tak Stadium for Hong Kong’s crunch Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh next month, offering fans cheap tickets and the chance to win a car. But the location for November’s potentially decisive home clash with Singapore remains in doubt, with the match falling four days after the National Games rugby sevens tournaments finish at the 50,000-seat Kowloon venue. Hong Kong are level on points with Group C leaders Singapore after two matches. They face... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3327407/hong-kong-target-kai-tak-stadium-sell-out-bangladesh-clash-cheap-tickets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3327407/hong-kong-target-kai-tak-stadium-sell-out-bangladesh-clash-cheap-tickets?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Sep 2025 11:00:15 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Hong Kong’s football chief has pledged to exploit the sport’s mini-boom in the city as a summer of events draws to a close. During a whirlwind few months, Hong Kong has welcomed leading clubs from England, Italy and Saudi Arabia, seen Cristiano Ronaldo open a museum in the city, and attracted more than 40,000 fans to Kai Tak Stadium to watch its representative team play India. On Wednesday and Thursday, it hosted the World Football Summit (WFS). Eric Fok Kai-shan, chairman of the Football... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3324536/hong-kong-aims-capitalise-boom-after-summer-football-fever?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3324536/hong-kong-aims-capitalise-boom-after-summer-football-fever?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:00:11 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Leading promoters are already plotting to bring more marquee football to Hong Kong after visits from English, Italian and Saudi clubs this summer. Nearly 100,000 fans watched Football Festival matches involving Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan at Kai Tak Stadium last month, before last week’s three Saudi Super Cup games drew a combined total of about 60,000 to Hong Kong Stadium. In May, Manchester United beat Hong Kong in front of 33,000, also at Hong Kong Stadium. And Paul... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3323088/english-premier-league-clubs-hong-kong-again-talks-open-revive-asia-trophy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3323088/english-premier-league-clubs-hong-kong-again-talks-open-revive-asia-trophy?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Aug 2025 23:00:14 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Hong Kong football chief Eric Fok Kai-shan has said the sport locally is “gaining momentum”, as the Premier League counts down to its big kick-off on Friday. Supporters in the city may have turned out to watch European and Saudi clubs this summer, but attendances for local matches have been largely dreadful. Last season’s average of 685 was an improvement on the previous campaign’s 577 – but only once since 2015-16 has the league recorded a four-figure average gate. Asked how some of the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3323061/can-hong-kong-retain-cristiano-ronaldo-factor-its-premier-league-kicks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3323061/can-hong-kong-retain-cristiano-ronaldo-factor-its-premier-league-kicks?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Aug 2025 10:37:23 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball HSBC has signed a multi-year partnership with LIV Golf that will see it sponsor two of the league’s 13 teams, as well as becoming the Saudi-backed circuit’s official banking partner. The agreement, which was announced on Thursday, runs for the whole of LIV’s 14-event season, starting at this week’s LIV Golf Andalucia at Real Club Valderrama in Spain. Hong Kong’s largest lender will also support Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC, who won the team title in the city in 2024, and the Majesticks GC... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3317739/hsbc-and-liv-golf-sign-multi-year-deal-bank-back-leagues-14-event-season-2-teams?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3317739/hsbc-and-liv-golf-sign-multi-year-deal-bank-back-leagues-14-event-season-2-teams?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Jul 2025 11:20:27 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hosting the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong denoted a “strengthening of the ties” with the desert kingdom, and reflected the city’s growing status as a world-class sporting hub, local football chief Eric Fok Kai-shan said on Wednesday. Speaking at the official launch of next month’s tournament – which, with Kai Tak Stadium unavailable, will be held at Hong Kong Stadium – Fok called it an “opportunity to showcase our city’s energy, hospitality and passion for football”. It will mark the first time... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3317589/hong-kong-hosting-saudi-super-cup-shows-deepening-ties-football-chief-fok-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3317589/hong-kong-hosting-saudi-super-cup-shows-deepening-ties-football-chief-fok-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Jul 2025 13:33:44 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Eric Fok Kai-shan has revealed that the immediate future of Hong Kong football will feature Eastern District, but not the Brazil national team. Eastern District have been accepted into the Hong Kong Premier League for the 2025-26 season, although Chinese fourth-tier club Canton United’s application has been knocked back. Fok, the chairman of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA), told the Post: “Eastern District met all our requirements; they will join the Premier League, so we... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3316966/brazil-will-not-be-visiting-hong-kong-any-time-soon-says-hkfa-boss-eric-fok?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3316966/brazil-will-not-be-visiting-hong-kong-any-time-soon-says-hkfa-boss-eric-fok?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Jul 2025 09:30:08 +0000