Hong Kong issue 'SOS' to keep women's windsurfing in Asian Games
With just three entrants registered to compete, the event is at risk of being cancelled because a minimum of six is required
The Hong Kong Windsurfing Association is sending an "SOS" to its Asia counterparts to save the women's RSX event at the Asian Games.
Four windsurfing events are scheduled for September's Incheon Games - men's and women's RSX, men's mistral and women's RS:One - but so far only three windsurfers, one each from China, Hong Kong and Thailand, have entered the women's RSX.
Asian Games rules state there must be at least six competitors before an event can start. The three other classes have all made the entry quota.
We were surprised even South Korea have not entered the event but, as the hosts, they should
"The RSX is an Olympic class, which means competition is high but expenses are also high," said HKWA executive director Dennis Chan Wai-keung.
"In Asia, only a few nations have made good progress in the class, particularly in the women's. Many countries think they won't have a medal chance against teams like China and Hong Kong and have decided not to enter."
Chau said his association would lobby teams with which Hong Kong has good relations, in the hope they might enter a team.
"We were surprised even South Korea have not entered the event but, as the hosts, they should," he said. "Other Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar will be our targets as they have also developed women's RSX."
