Asian Games 2023: 5 things you need to know as events get under way in Hangzhou
- Women’s cricket, men’s football, beach volleyball and volleyball competitions are all starting on Tuesday
- Hong Kong take on Malaysia in cricket, while China open their campaign against India in football
The first events of the Asian Games take place on Tuesday, with the women’s cricket, men’s football, beach volleyball and volleyball competitions all getting under way in Hangzhou.
With the opening ceremony not until Saturday, the next few days will provide a slow burn until the Asian Games torch is lit at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.
Still, there is plenty going on across the venues that make up the 19th edition of this multi-sports event, and here are five things we think are worth knowing.
1. Cricket is back
Dropped from the 2018 Games in Jakarta, cricket will be played at the event for the first time in nine years.
Hong Kong’s women begin their tournament against Malaysia on Tuesday afternoon, with Indonesia and Mongolia facing off in the morning’s match.
The big guns - India, defending champions Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh - join proceedings in the quarter-finals, which start on Thursday.
A partnership between local broadcaster HOY TV and Cricket Hong Kong means fans can watch the men’s and women’s matches live on the CHK Facebook page.