Tokyo Olympics: Angus Ng’s controversy over black jersey and missing Bauhinia prompts rethink on uniform guidelines
- The Hong Kong Olympic Committee says the badminton player did not break any IOC or federation rules when he wore his own clothes for his opening match
- The Facebook page of Nicholas Muk, the DAB member who condemned Ng for failing to wear the Bauhinia emblem, was inaccessible on Monday
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Hong Kong Olympic chiefs said they would explore the need to standardise athletes’ clothing at major Games after badminton player Angus Ng Ka-long came under fire for wearing his own uniform that was missing the city’s Bauhinia emblem.
However, in a statement released on Monday, the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee (SF&OC) insisted that Ng did nothing wrong and it was the responsibility of regional and local governing bodies, along with the athletes, to agree on competition outfits.
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The body said it had an arrangement with sportswear company Fila to provide uniforms for Hong Kong delegations at major events such as the Olympics and Asian Games – but only for special functions such as opening ceremonies, flag presentations, awards and other official appearances.
“For the clothing worn in individual sports competitions, due to its special material and design requirements and the regulations, the costumes are adapted to the needs of the sport, in compliance with the requirements of the International Olympic Committee and individual federations. The SF&OC does not have additional regulations,” it said.
“We understand the public’s concern and are now providing full assistance. In the future, we will discuss this issue with sports associations to review whether it is necessary to formulate requirements and guidelines for athletes’ clothing during competitions, so that athletes can focus more on the competition and win glory for Hong Kong.”
Ng, 27, earned the ire of Nicholas Muk, a member of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), who condemned the player for wearing black during his opening victory against Mexico’s Lino Munoz on Saturday.