Tokyo Olympics: badminton body takes blame for Angus Ng’s black jersey and missing Bauhinia as politicians and fans rush to his defence

The 27-year-old was ‘condemned’ by DAB’s Nicholas Muk for attire in Games opener when he wore black – the preferred colour of 2019 protesters – and was missing Bauhinia emblem

The HKBA vows to improve communication channels to ensure there is no repeat of the controversy, urging fans to continue supporting the players

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Angus Ng Ka-long hits a shot against Mexican Lino Munoz during his opening match of the Tokyo Games. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 2:20pm, 25 Jul 2021Updated: 10:41pm, 25 Jul 2021

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The Hong Kong Badminton Association (HKBA) has taken the blame for men’s singles player Angus Ng Ka-long wearing a black jersey that was missing the Bauhinia emblem in his Tokyo Olympics opening match on Saturday, vowing to improve communication channels to prevent future confusion.

A statement from the governing body on Sunday night came hours after fans and politicians rushed to defend the 27-year-old, who was forced to explain himself on social media – saying he was without a sponsor and wore his own clothes. Ng was condemned by Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) member Nicholas Muk, who said on Facebook that the player should withdraw if he did not want to represent Hong Kong.

The HKBA said it had asked apparel company Fila, which sponsors the Hong Kong Olympic delegation, to provide a uniform for Ng but the player chose his own outfit for his two-set victory over Mexico’s Lino Munoz. It said Ng’s choice of uniform met the basic requirements laid out by Badminton World Federation and the International Olympic Committee, which doesn’t include emblems.

“At this time, the public’s attention to Ka-long’s jersey is indeed a problem in the communication between the badminton teams,” said the HKBA. “We can do better. We are working hard to deal with it.”

Muk was outraged that Ng chose black – the preferred colour of protesters during the 2019 anti-government demonstrations – and that Hong Kong’s Bauhinia crest was missing. Other Hong Kong badminton players were wearing dark blue and red Yonex outfits, with the Hong Kong Olympic Committee (HKOC) the saying choice of uniform is arranged by the governing bodies or the athletes.

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