David Sofaer to step into Phillip King's shoes for Incheon
City's number one tennis star replaced in Asian Games squad due to passport rule
Advertising major David Sofaer will be part of Hong Kong's campaign at the Asian Games in Incheon after replacing local number one Phillip King, who will be forced to miss the September showpiece as he does not have an SAR passport.
Sofaer, 22, will be making his debut for Hong Kong at a major international event after approaching the Hong Kong Tennis Association earlier this year and asking if he could play for the city he was born in. His mother is Chinese and he has an SAR passport, although he grew up in Australia and studied in California.
"It was a pity Phillip was turned down as he does not have an SAR passport, but luckily we had a good replacement in David, who had all the documents required," said Chris Lai, HKTA chief executive. "We asked the Hong Kong Olympic Committee if David could replace Philip and were given the go-ahead."
It was a pity Phillip was turned down as he does not have an SAR passport, but luckily we had a good replacement in David
Only athletes with SAR passports can represent Hong Kong at the Asian Games after the Olympic Council of Asia fell in line with IOC rules. Fourteen Hong Kong athletes without passports have received special dispensation as they took part in the last Asian Games in Guangzhou in 2010.
Hong Kong will send a 10-strong tennis squad to Incheon - five men and five women. The other men are Brian Yeung Pak-long, Kevin Wong Chun-hun, Andrew Li Hei-yin and Kevin Kung Hoi-ting. The women's squad is Lynn Zhang Ling, Katherine Ip Cheng, Eudice Chong Wong, Tiffany Wu Ho-ching and Venise Chan Wing-yau.
With an ATP singles ranking of 921, Sofaer is the highest-ranked local player but Hong Kong's chances of a medal are centred around the mixed doubles. Zhang is the SAR's highest-ranked women's player on 276.
"[That will be our best chance] as other countries might focus less on this event," Lai said. "The competition will be tough and our chances will be slim in the singles, with Japan and India strongest in the men's competition, while in the women China and Japan lead the way."