Topic
The Asia Rugby Sevens Series is an annual series of tournaments for men's and women's teams from across the region. It has been held regularly since 2009.
New rules introduced after an embarrassing gaffe involving the national song at a rugby match involving Hong Kong place responsibility with organisers and there should be no repeat.
Playing of protest song before match involving Hong Kong rugby team has struck a raw nerve and needs to be investigated.
- Hong Kong’s in-form women are aiming for Olympic qualification to maintain upward curve plotted since head coach Andy Vilk’s arrival
- Men will have evergreen Salom Yiu available when they look to atone for 2020 heartbreak in Japan qualifiers next month
The city’s men’s team beat Japan in their final, after the women produce a stunning improvement to overcome their mainland Chinese compatriots in the semis.
Liam Doherty put in a man-of-the-match performance in Hangzhou after being given a dressing down by coaches, and said acknowledging he was drifting helped reignite his drive.
Japan beat Hong Kong to Incheon title in first leg of 2023 Asia Rugby Sevens Series, while Andy Vilk starts life as women’s head coach with back-to-back wins before team finishes fourth.
Andy Vilk starts with four key tournaments – Asian Games, Olympic qualifier and two Asia Rugby Sevens Series events, the first in South Korea this weekend – but vows not to ‘change too much too quickly’.
Ex-Calvisano centre Andy Vilk joins Hong Kong Rugby Union after spending 10 years coaching in Italy.
‘I can already tell there’s a lot of energy in the building. I’m really excited,’ says one rugby fan.
Lee promises to contact tech giant again after he rejects Google’s claims it could do little because of search algorithms.
Acting sports commissioner commends athlete and committee members at the scene for reacting immediately when wrong song was played.
‘Glory to Hong Kong’ played instead of Chinese national anthem at powerlifting event in Dubai; incident follows series of mix-ups at rugby matches.
Victory over hosts UAE sees Hong Kong defend series title, and triumph earns team spot in qualification tournament for HSBC World Series.
City’s men’s and women’s sevens squads enjoy positive starts to final tournament of Series, with both reaching the semi-finals.
Hong Kong’s men go into final round of matches in the United Arab Emirates having yet to lose a game.
In the wake of the debacle, Asia Rugby, the regional governing body for the sport, has promised to take the lead in providing the correct anthems to its 36 member unions.
Guidelines issued by top sports body on same day head of Asia Rugby travels to Hong Kong to apologise for anthem blunder last week at match in South Korea.
Police spokesman says investigation will cover three separate incidents during which protest song was either played or labelled as national anthem during sports events.
Chief Secretary Eric Chan also says police will investigate possibility of criminal intent behind recent mix-ups at overseas sports events involving national anthem and city protest song.
‘March of the Volunteers’ titled ‘Glory to Hong Kong’ at bottom of screen in broadcast of Hong Kong team’s match in Dubai earlier this month, while same incorrect graphic used in coverage of game involving Tonga on July 23.
Ronnie Wong, honorary secretary general of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, rejects apology and explanation from organisers.
Asia Rugby repeatedly apologises for error at a press conference while insisting its organising partner in South Korea had made an honest mistake.
Chief Executive John Lee orders police to investigate use of ‘Glory to Hong Kong’ instead of ‘March of the Volunteers’ anthem at overseas rugby fixture.
Hong Kong’s men progress to cup quarter finals with wins over Sri Lanka and China before draw against United Arab Emirates, while the women will play in the plate after losing tough games against Kazakhstan and China.
Liam Herbert replaces star player for this weekend’s stop in South Korea, in one of five changes made by head coach Paul John.
After storming through Saturday’s pool play, Paul John’s side brush aside South Korea and Japan in the first leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series.
Beginning final prep for 2022 Hong Kong Sevens, Paul John’s men thrash the Philippines, UAE and China, with women’s side taking two wins from three games.
England legend Ollie Phillips, who leads new charges into Asia Rugby Sevens Series this weekend, thought request to coach China was a ‘joke’ when it was first floated.
Fit-again skipper Max Woodward returns to men’s squad for Asia Rugby Sevens, while women’s team target ‘crucial experience’ before next year’s Asian Games.
