appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Stephy Zhang

Hong Kong’s padel players have more to fight for than ranking points at the FIP Bronze tournament in the city this week, they are also battling for Asian Games recognition.
The sport was awarded medal status for the competition in Japan later this year, and the city’s athletes have some catching up to do if they want to be part of the occasion.
Not that September’s Games are the main focus for players or the newly formed Hong Kong China Padel Association (HKCPA), which is hoping to become the governing body for the sport in the city, with a World Cup and the carrot of professionalism also on the horizon.
“It’s a real honour that padel is now included as an Asian Games event,” Chow Chun-ho, a former tennis player who turned professional last year, said. “It may give us a chance to represent Hong Kong.”
Now ranked in Asia’s top 20, with a global International Padel Federation (FIP) ranking of 507, Chow said the move could boost the sport’s development across the region.

“After hearing about the Asian Games, I’ve dedicated more time to physical training and my practice schedule,” the 25-year-old said, adding he was “definitely confident” of having the chance to represent his city at the Games.
However, Chow, like everyone else, is waiting for FIP to announce its qualification criteria for the Games, with men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles categories expected to feature.
Brian Klaassen, an HKCPA executive committee board member, said that ambitions beyond the multi-sport event would need more players locally to take up the game.
Alenna Dawn, founder of Asia Padel Events, noted that the Olympic Council of Asia’s recognition would lead to “exponential” growth for the sport.
“National representation of the sport is quite important. This is one of the moments that we have been waiting for,” Dawn said.
The raising in stakes was palpable at the Go Park Sai Sha on Wednesday, the first day of the Hong Kong tournament.
Taiga Sherr-Oshima, a member of the Japanese national team, expected competition to be particularly fierce among athletes from established programmes in Japan and the Middle East.
He expected FIP points would be one factor in Japan’s national Asian Games selection.
“I’m currently living in Dubai, a region with a strong professional sports culture. It’s a big advantage,” said Taiga, who won the Junior Asia Cup last year. “I also trust my teammates and seniors, and Japan is strong in Asia.”
Mainland Chinese athletes are also using FIP events to gain a strategic edge before the Asian Games.
Zhang Bohou, the highest-ranked mainland Chinese player with an FIP ranking of 261, spent his winter training in Spain.
He said there would likely be a dedicated mainland selection event for fairness, but also emphasised the importance of current FIP tournament results.
“If the points are high, the seeding for the Asian Games will be better, lowering the chance of facing strong opponents in the first round,” he said. “This will be important for China’s gold medal chances.”
Xie Zongnan, who is both a player and coach and is among the mainland’s top three, said a formal national squad system is still in progress but the stakes have gone up significantly.
“If there is a plan, I definitely want to participate,” Xie said, adding that the Chinese Tennis Association was expected to oversee selection.
He said the Asian Games announcement came on very “short notice,” and most teams in the region were urgently preparing, “but all athletes are excited for such an opportunity.”


Uzbekistan gymnast Oksana Chusovitina, 51, defies the years in Asian Games final

Asian Games, day 6: Hong Kong’s fencers finish with silver, gymnast Ng wins crucial bronze

Chinese teen swim sensation Yu Zidi set for Olympic stardom after golden Asian Games

Hong Kong have day to remember as Siobhan Haughey wins fourth medal at ‘final Asian Games’

Asian Games 2026

Hong Kong padel players eye Asian Games selection as FIP Bronze event gets under way

Taiga Sherr-Oshima is a member of Japan’s national padel squad and hopes to play at his home Asian Games later this year. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong players Chu Kwok-kee (right) and Chris Lo Cheuk-hin in action during the FIP Bronze tournament. Photo: Elson Li

Champions Day: Calandagan, Masquerade Ball, Museum Mile headline strong overseas entries

Masquerade Ball is a likely QE II Cup starter at Sha Tin next month. Photo: JRA

Romantic Warrior will bid for a fourth QE II Cup success next month. Photo: Kenneth Chan

Jantar Mantar is expected to return to Hong Kong for next month’s Champions Mile. Photo: Kenneth Chan

Chinese race official handed 1-year ban after mistakenly pushing winner off course

The winner of the 2026 Chongqing Wanzhou Marathon, Sheng Xueli, was stopped and diverted just before the finish line on Sunday.  Photo: handout

Despite the drama, Sheng Xueli still managed to win the marathon. Photo: Chongqing Athletics Association

Sport

Hong Kong

Other Sport

Sport will be a medal event at the multi-sport event in Japan later this year, adding extra motivation to this week’s tournament


Sport will be a medal event at the multi-sport event in Japan later this year, adding extra motivation to this week’s tournament.


Zhang Boheng

Hong Kong padel players eye Asian Games selection as FIP Bronze event gets under way

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Sport will be a medal event at the multi-sport event in Japan later this year, adding extra motivation to this week’s tournament

Sport will be a medal event at the multi-sport event in Japan later this year, adding extra motivation to this week’s tournament