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Lars Hamer

The National Games in Hong Kong got off to a quiet start on Friday, with only a few hundred fans watching the first day of beach volleyball, but also with hopes voiced that younger attendees would be inspired.
Schoolchildren dominated the crowd as the action unfolded during working hours from 9am at a purpose-built venue in Victoria Park, in a competition that will run until November 10. Beach volleyball is one of eight sports Hong Kong will host at the Games.
Both the city’s women’s teams were defeated by their mainland counterparts. Hong Kong’s top pairing, twin sisters To Wing-man and To Wing-tung, were on court at 12pm and lost 2-0 to Chongqing.
The city’s second women’s duo, Au Yeung Wai-yan and Yeung Ting-chi, then followed and were beaten 2-0 by Jiangsu.
Anson Lau, 30, a PE and maths teacher, had brought Hong Kong Southern District Government Primary School’s young volleyball team to watch the matches, in the hope that the experience would further develop their love for the sport.

“We got free tickets from the Education Bureau,” she said. “I’ll teach the students about the game, tell them the names of the moves and the rules, and allow them to feel the vibe.
“I hope they can learn to love the game.”
Lau said she would also take students to watch the cycling and rugby sevens events.
“I also play volleyball, so I actually enjoy coming here to watch. The Hong Kong team [twin sisters To] are getting a lot better; their quality is much closer to the international level.”
Peggy Li, who is in her forties and works in sales, has played volleyball since she was a child and came to show her support for Hong Kong’s women’s teams and study the mainland teams.
“The level of competition is very high, especially the Shanghai and Shandong teams,” she said.
“Actually, I really like the Hong Kong team, and I will go to Macau for the [indoor] volleyball.”
Despite the low number of spectators, those in attendance did crank up the volume when Hong Kong’s players took to the court. Organisers had also taken audio from the FIVB Men’s & Women’s Volleyball Nations League so that fans could chant “monster block” or “super-spike” after plays.

“The atmosphere is quite unique,” To Wing-tung said. “The sensation you feel that moment when you step onto the pitch and many people recognise you, call out your name, it can be a bit nerve-racking.
“We desperately wanted to put on a good performance for everyone watching, so during the warm-up, we felt some pressure.
“But once we stepped onto the court, we realised we were actually enjoying the match. From the very first point, we suddenly found ourselves connecting with so many shots – something we might not manage consistently in training.
“We were suddenly very proactive, eager and fully immersed in the game.”


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2025 National Games

National Games: slow start for Hong Kong beach volleyball, on and off the court

Hong Kong’s Yuen Ting-chi (left) and Au-yeung Wai-yan dive to save a shot in their match against Jiangsu at Victoria Park on Friday. Photo: Elson Li

To Wing-man (right) of Hong Kong’s top pair executes a spike in the 2-0 loss to Chongqing. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong’s Yuen Ting-chi (left) and Au-Yeung Wai-yan celebrate a point against Jiangsu. Photo: Elson Li

National Games: Hong Kong beach volleyballers urge spectators to make home advantage count

Hong Kong beach volleyball players To Wing-man (left) and her twin sister To Wing-tung (second from right) testing out the courts at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay on Wednesday. Photo: Eugene Lee

There will be seven venues at the beach volleyball site at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. Photo: Eugene Lee

Carnival and booth games will be held in conjunction with the matches. Photo: Eugene Lee

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Sport

China

Hong Kong

Schoolchildren dominate crowds on first day of event, as city’s top pair find experience ‘nerve-racking’ but are ‘getting a lot better’


Schoolchildren dominate crowds on first day of event, as city’s top pair find experience ‘nerve-racking’ but are ‘getting a lot better’.


Volleyball

National Games: slow start for Hong Kong beach volleyball, on and off the court

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Schoolchildren dominate crowds on first day of event, as city’s top pair find experience ‘nerve-racking’ but are ‘getting a lot better’

Schoolchildren dominate crowds on first day of event, as city’s top pair find experience ‘nerve-racking’ but are ‘getting a lot better’