SPORTING EVENTS

Hong Kong’s best-known sports icon, the Olympic and world champion windsurfer Lee Lai-Shan, is a local legend and rightly cherished in a city not known for its sporting prowess. Sports venues, training and opportunities for professionals are limited, although for amateurs and enthusiasts there is plenty of choice.

The city plays host to some important international sporting events – January brings the Hong Kong Ladies Challenge tennis championship to Victoria Park and in March, the famous Hong Kong Rugby Sevens attracts fans from all round Asia for three days of rugby and merry-making. The Hong Kong Jockey Club hosts the Hong Kong International Races each December, attracting punters from all round the world. Other competitions include the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Squash Open, the Hong Kong Open Windsurfing, Cricket Sixes and the Hong Kong Marathon.

SPORTS CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS

There are amateur associations for most sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, baseball, martial arts, cricket, cycling and dragon boating, as well as associations for disabled athletes. Detailed information on these associations can be found through the government’s Hong Kong Sports Development Board website (www.hksdb.org.hk).

The easiest way to book squash, badminton, tennis courts and other sports spaces is through ESDlife (www.esdlife.com), the Leisure and Cultural Service Department’s online information and booking system.

Many of the associations and sports clubs below provide training for adults and children. Action Asia (www.actionasia.com), a monthly magazine published in Hong Kong, details travel, sport and adventure activities in the Asia region.

Information on gyms, fitness clubs and yoga classes is included in Chapter Nine, ‘Health’.

Athletics

• South China Athletic Association (www.scaa.org.hk; tel. 2577 6932).
• Hong Kong Triathlon Association (www.triathlon.com.hk.)

Aviation

• Hong Kong Aviation Club (Sung Wong Toi Road, Kowloon City; www.hkaviationclub.com.hk; tel. 2713 5171).

Basketball

• Hong Kong Basketball Association (www.basketball.org.hk; tel. 2504 8181). Please note that this website is mostly in Chinese.

Bowling

• Kowloon Bowling Green Club (123 Austin Road, Jordan, tel. 2368 7733).
• Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association (www.hklba.org.

Boxing

• DEF boxing (www.def.com.hk; tel. 2840 0162).
• Boxing/Kick boxing at The One Martial Gym (www.fightinfit.com.hk).
• Kickboxing at The Ring (www.the-ring-thai-boxing-studio.com).
• K-1 Thai Kickboxing and Fitness (2/F, Yen Men Bldg, 98–108 Jaffe Road, Wanchai; tel. 2865 1608).

Cricket

• Hong Kong Cricket Club (137 Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, Happy Valley; www.hkcc.org; tel. 2574 6266).
• Kowloon Cricket Club (10 Cox’s Road; www.kcc.org.hk; tel. 2367 4141).

Cycling

• Hong Kong Cycling Association (www.cycling.org.hk; tel. 2504 8176).

Diving

• Hong Kong Underwater Club (www.hkuc.org.hk).
• South China Diving Club (www.scdc.org.hk).
• Splash (www.splashhk.com; tel. 9047 9603).

Fencing

• HK Amateur Fencing Association (www.hkafa.org.hk). The South China Athletic Association (see above) also offers fencing classes.

Golf

A full list of golf clubs in the region is at the end of this chapter.

Hockey

• Hong Kong Hockey Association (www.hockey.org.hk).
• Hong Kong Football Club (www.hkfc.com.hk).
• Valley RFC (www.valleyrfc.com).
• Unicycle Hockey (www.unihk.org; tel. 9203 1505).

Horse riding

• Hong Kong Equestrian Federation (www.hkef.org; tel. 2464 2800).
• Pokfulam Public Riding School (tel. 2550 1359).
• Lo Wu Saddle Club (www.geocities.com/lowusaddle; tel. 2673 0066).

Ice hockey

• Women’s Ice Hockey Organization (www.icehockey.com.hk).
• Hong Kong Amateur Hockey Club (www.hkahc.com).

Lacrosse

• Hong Kong Lacrosse Association (www.hklax.org; tel. 8107 6636).

Martial arts

• The South China Athletic Association (see above) offers classes in kung fu, judo, karate, tai chi, etc.
• Hong Kong Kendo Association (www.hongkongkendo.com; tel. 2504 8145).
• Karate (www.karatehk.com; tel. 2956 2868).

Motorbiking

• Classic Bike Club (tel. 9130 4536).
• Super Bikes (www.hksuperbike.com).
• Motocross Club ([email protected]; tel. 2659 8159).

Mountain biking

• The Hong Kong Mountainbike Association (www.hkmba.org). For an index of mountain bike trails and information on applying for a permit, visit http://parks.afcd.gov.hk/newparks/eng/country/bicycle/index.htm.
• Adventure Plus (www.adventureplus.com.hk; tel. 2674 3692).

Mountaineering and rock climbing

• Hong Kong Mountaineering Union (tel. 2504 8124).
• Rock climbing at (www.ascenthk.net/).

Netball

• Hong Kong Netball Association (tel. 2504 8208).

Orienteering

• Orienteering Association of Hong Kong (www.oahk.org.hk; tel. 2504 8111).

Paragliding

• Hong Kong Paragliding Association (www.hkpa.net/).

Pool

• The Foreign Correspondents’ Club (2 Lower Albert Road, Central; www.fcchk.org/; tel. 2521 1511) plays competitive pool.

Rowing and dragon boating

• Hong Kong Island Paddle Club (www.hkipc.com).
• The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association (www.hkdba.com.hk).
• Stanley Residents’ Association (www.dragonboat.org.hk).
• Hong Kong Amateur Dragon Boat Association (www.dragonboat-hk.org).
• Hong Kong China Rowing Association (www.rowing.org.hk).

Rugby

• Hong Kong Football Club (www.hkfc.com.hk).
• Hong Kong Cricket Club, previously Aberdeen Rugby Club (tel. 9179 5844).
• Hong Rugby Football Union (www.hkrugby.com; tel. 2504 8311).
• Kowloon Rugby Football Club (www.kowloon-rugby.com).
• Valley RFC (www.valleyrfc.com).

Running

• Hong Kong Runners (www.hkrunners.com). The website includes links to hashes around Hong Kong.
• Ladies Hash House Harriers (www.hkladieshash.com; tel. 2881 0748).
• Ladies Road Runners (www.hklrrc.org).
• Athletic Veterans of Hong Kong (www.avohk.org).

There are also jogging tracks at Victoria Park, Happy Valley Race Stadium, Harlech Road (The Peak), Bowen Road (Mid-Levels) and Kowloon Park.

Sailing

• Hong Kong Yachting Association (www.sailing.org.hk; tel. 2813 1784).
• Yachting Ventures (www.yachtingventures.com).

More information can be found below under ‘Private yacht clubs and marinas’.

Shooting

• Hong Kong Shooting Association (www.hkshooting.org.hk).
• China Gun Club (www.chinagunclub.com.hk; tel. 2915 0088).
• Hong Kong Gun Club (tel. 2493 0514).
• Hong Kong Rifle Association (www.hkra-shooting.org; tel. 2744 2283).

Skiing and snowboarding

• Slope Infinity (www.slope8.com; tel. 2107 4567).

Soccer

• Hong Kong Football Club (3 Sports Road, Happy Valley; www.hkfc.com.hk; tel. 2830 9502).
• Hong Kong Football Association (www.hkfa.com; tel. 2712 9122).

Softball

• Hong Kong Slo-pitch Softball Association (www.hongkongsoftball.com).

Squash

• Hong Kong Squash Centre (www.hksquash.org.hk); tel. 2521 5072).
• Public squash courts:
  • Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Wanchai (tel. 2591 1331);
  • Victoria Park (tel. 2570 6186);
  • Shatin (tel. 2604 7647);
  • Sai Kung (tel. 2792 6459);
  • Kowloon Tsai Park (tel. 236 7878);
  • Lai Chi Kok Indoor Games Sports Hall (tel. 2745 2796); and
  • Morse Park (tel. 2338 3047).
• Hong Kong Cricket Club (see above for details).
• Hong Kong Football Club (see above for details).
• Island Squash Rackets Club (tel. 2868 4885).

Swimming

• Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association (www.hkasa.org.hk).
• Indoor heated public pools open all year round include Morrison Hill and Kowloon Park. Open-air public pools, which are closed from mid-October to the end of April, include Victoria Park and Kennedy Town.
• The YWCA, YMCA and South China Athletics Association (see above) also have pools for members’ use.

Surfing

• Simon Chau (tel. 93681415; e-mail [email protected]) heads up the Hong Kong Surfing Association and gives lessons at the weekends. He recommends that beginners begin by renting a boogie board at Big Wave Bay beach in Shek O, which costs about $50 rent plus $100 deposit. Other beaches for surfing include Tai Long Wan in Sai Kung.

Tennis

• Hong Kong Tennis Association (www.tennishk.org; tel. 2504 8266).
• Public tennis courts:
  • Hong Kong: Quarry Bay Park (tel. 2513 8499), Victoria Park (tel. 2570 6186), Bowen Road (tel. 2528 2983) and Wong Nai Chung Gap Road (tel. 2574 9122);
  • Kowloon: Morse Park (tel. 2338 3047) and King’s Park (tel. 2385 8985); and
  • New Territories: Shatin (tel. 2605 3622) and Sai Kung (tel. 2792 6459).

Wakeboarding

• Wake Boarding Association (www.hkwba.org.hk).
• Sea Dynamics (www.seadynamics.com; tel. 2604 4747).
• Tai Tam Wakeboarding Centre (www.wakeboard.com.hk; tel. 3120 4120).
• Wakeboard Camp (www.wakeboardcamp.com.hk).

Waterskiing

• Hong Kong Waterski Association (www.waterski.org.hk).

Windsurfing

• Windsurfing Association of Hong Kong (www.windsurfing.org.hk; tel.2504 8255)

PRIVATE SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUBS

The sports and social clubs listed below are generally extremely expensive to join and may have a waiting list for entry. Many require individual or corporate debentures, which are sometimes advertised for sale in the South China Morning Post. However, a concessionary entry fee and accelerated entry is offered to serious sportsmen and women. The clubs have a range of splendid recreational, social and leisure facilities geared towards families. These often include swimming pools, tennis courts, squash courts, sports coaching, exercise classes, children’s activities and camps, a choice of restaurants, and evening entertainments.

Hong Kong Island

• American Country Club (28 Tai Tam Road; www.americanclubhk.com; tel. 2813 3299). Connected to the American Town Club in Central.
• Craigengower Cricket Club (188 Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley; www.ccc1894.com; tel. 2837 1820). Tennis and lawn bowls; no cricket.
• Dynasty Club (7/F, South West Tower, Convention Plaza, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai; www.noblesse.com.hk; tel. 2824 1122).
• Hong Kong Country Club (188 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Deepwater Bay; tel. 2552 4165).
• Hong Kong Cricket Club (137 Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, Happy Valley; www.hkcc.org; tel. 2574 6266).
• Hong Kong Football Club (3 Sports Road, Happy Valley; www.hkfc.com.hk; tel. 2830 9502).
• Hong Kong Jockey Club (Shan Kwong Road, Happy Valley; www.hongkongjockeyclub.com; tel. 2966 1333). Other club houses are located in Shatin and Kam Tsin.
• Victoria Recreation Club (Deepwater Bay; tel. 2812 2565).
• World Trade Centre Club (38/F, World Trade Centre, 280 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay; www.wtcchk.com; tel. 2577 9528/2808 2288)

Kowloon

• Club de Recreio (20 Gascoigne Road, Kings Park; tel. 2388 8194).
• Hilltop Country Club (10 Hilltop Road, Lo Wai, Tsuen Wan; tel. 2412 0201).
• Kowloon Cricket Club (10 Cox’s Road; www.kcc.org.hk; tel. 2367 4141).
• Kowloon Tong Club (113A Waterloo Road, Kowloon Tong; tel. 2337 0141).
• Pacific Club (Harbour City, 5 Canton Road, TST; www.pacificclub.com.hk; tel. 2118 1828).
• United Services Recreation Club (1 Gascoigne Road, Jordan; www.usrc.org.hk; tel. 2367 0672).

Private yacht clubs and marinas

• Aberdeen Boat Club (www.abclubhk.com; tel. 2555 6216).
• Aberdeen Marina Club (www.amchk.com.hk; tel. 2555 8321).
• Clearwater Bay Marina Club (www.cwbgolf.org/marina/public_boat_yard_ services.aspy).
• Discovery Bay Marina Club and Discovery Bay Yacht Club (www.discoverybay.com.hk/www.dbyc.net).
• Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club (www.goldcoastclub.com.hk; tel. 2404 2332/3268).
• Hebe Haven Yacht Club (www.hhyc.org.hk; tel. 2719 9682).
• Hong Kong Hobie Club (www.hobie.com.hk; tel. 2813 5003).
• Hong Kong Marina (www.hkmarina.com.hk; tel. 2792 1436).
• Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (www.rhkyc.org.hk; tel. 2832 2817).

GOLF

Public courses

There are six golf courses in Hong Kong. The only public course, designed by Gary Player, is The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Course, Kau Sai Chau in Sai Kung (www.kscgolf.com; tel. 2791 3388). No membership is required. The green fees for ID card-holders over 21 start at $600 for a full course. Non-cardholders are permitted.

Private golf clubs (see below) admitting visitors include:

• Fanling (Monday–Friday);
• Deepwater Bay (Monday–Friday);
• Clearwater Bay (Tuesday and Friday); and
• Discovery Bay (Mondays, Tuesday and Fridays).

Public golf driving ranges include the Tuen Mun Golf Centre (tel. 2466 2600) and the Wo Yi Hop Road Sports Ground in Kwai Ching (tel. 2426 3269).

Golf coaches can be found at Central Golf (www.centralgolf.com.hk; tel. 2140 6633); Tuition Swing Club (tel. 2530 0875) and, for ladies, JJ Golf (www.jjgolf.com; tel. 2517 6739).

Private clubs and courses

• Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club, Sai Kung (www.cwbgolf.org; tel.2358 0564).
• Discovery Bay Golf Club (www.discoverybay.com.hk; tel. 2987 7273).
• Hong Kong Golf Club Fanling (www.hkgolfclub.org; tel. 2670 1211).
• Hong Kong Golf Club Deep Water Bay (www.hkgolfclub.org; tel. 2812 7070).
• Shek O Golf & Country Club (tel. 2809 4458).

South China golf clubs

Twenty more golf clubs in Southern China are within easy reach of Hong Kong (less than two hours by ferry). More information on these clubs can be found at www.hkprogolf.com and www.china-golf.com. A map of the golf clubs in South China can be found in the colour plate section.

Top clubs include:

• The Chung Shan Hot Spring Golf Club in Zhongshan City, Guangdong (tel. 2521 0377), which has courses designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.
• The Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, which features four championship 18-hole golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Jumbo Ozaki and Nick Faldo, and has a five-star resort hotel (www.missionhills.com.hk/Golf-club/golfclub.htm).
• The Lotus Hill Golf Resort in Panyu, which offers an 18-hole course designed by Bernhard Langer in a ‘walking game’ style – not a golf cart in sight (www.lotushillgolf.com; tel. 2882 1811).
• The Royal Orchid Golf Club in Guangdong, which has 18 holes designed by Nick Faldo (www.royal-orchidgolf.com; tel. 2377 2368).
• The Sand River Golf Club in Shenzhen, which has 27 holes, including 18 championship holes designed by Gary Player in the style of a British seaside links course (www.sandrivergolfclub.com; tel. 2865 1739).
• The Macau Golf & Country Club, Coloane Island (tel. 2803 0811).