Students have a ball in Hong Kong

The game had the spectators on the edge of their seats, with a halftime score of 44-41. As the second half progressed, the intensity heightened, with both teams exchanging baskets and three-pointers.

Whenever a player went for a fast break, the audience, made up of people from varied age groups, erupted, cheering in a mix of Cantonese, English and Mandarin.

Battling it out on court were teams from Peking University and Yonsei University.

It was the latter that emerged victorious.

Led by the outstanding 20-year-old guard Lee Ju-young, who scored 22 points, Yonsei defeated Peking University 93-87, which was led by 19-year-old forward Guan Ziyu, who also had 22 points in the game.

It was the final of the Asian University Basketball Challenge, which took place at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Center in Hong Kong from Nov 28 to Dec 1, serving as a test event for a brand-new Asian collegiate league scheduled to launch next year.

The new league has been sanctioned by the Asian University Sports Federation, established in 1992 with the goal of providing a platform for university students across Asia to engage and interact through sports. It will be operated by the Hong Kong-based sports holding company, Realeague.

Wong Chi, a sports enthusiast and Hong Kong resident, brought his teenage son to watch the four-day invitational tournament.

"There are few opportunities in Hong Kong to witness such exciting matches in person. The two teams represented their respective universities, and even their countries, well. The games are intense, and both players and spectators were highly spirited," he said.

Wong, an alumnus of Tsinghua University, came to cheer on his alma mater, which secured third place in the tournament.

"The Tsinghua team has sharpshooters. Even in tense moments, the players exhibited precise ball handling. I admire how the Tsinghua team stuck to their playing style, regardless of whether they were winning or losing," he added.

Wong shared that he has been watching CBA games online since he was young, and closely follows the Hong Kong A1 Division Championship, the special administrative region's top men's basketball league.

"Both my son and I are looking forward to watching the Asian collegiate league live next year," he said.

City University of Hong Kong, the winner of the SAR's 2023-24 intercollegiate tournament, is participating in the Asian University Basketball Challenge.

Chow Fu-him, a 21-year-old student who represented City University in a match against Yonsei University during the tournament's first round, remarked: "It was the most intense game I have ever played."

"Yonsei University boasts a center skilled in fast breaks, and accurate shooters.

"All of them are explosive on court," he added.

This is the first time Chow has had the opportunity to compete against strong teams from other Asian universities.

This year, he joined the STC Eagle Basketball Team to compete in the A1 division championship. He discovered that he'd improved a lot, mentally, at least.

He noted that, while playing at school emphasizes friendship, playing for a club prioritizes individual on-court performance.

"I am learning to keep a level head when not selected by the coach and to always be prepared."

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new Asian collegiate league, he said that he is eager to be involved.

Rikkyo University in Japan has also committed to the tournament. Most of its players are under 21.

"We are excited to be here. It's a great opportunity to bring our team to compete against strong teams from other Asian universities, and also to explore Hong Kong during our stay," said Masahiro Ando, the Japanese team's manager.

"The game will help the young members to explore more possibilities."

Zhang Jian, the former coach of, and now an advisor to, Peking University's basketball team, emphasized the importance of playing against teams with different styles.

With over three decades of coaching experience, he led Peking University to become one of the strongest teams in the Chinese University Basketball League (CUBA).

Reflecting on his coaching career, he believes that opportunities to compete on the international stage are crucial for the team's growth.

"Engaging in exchanges and learning from their peers from different countries and regions is beneficial for the personal growth of student-athletes," Zhang said.

"Players from different departments can take a few days off together to play basketball in Hong Kong, which is a rare opportunity."

This trip marks the first time that everyone in the current Peking University lineup has competed in Hong Kong.

Realeague, the tournament's organizer, also arranged city tours for the students, including a group tour to The Peak and a cruise around Victoria Harbour.

Additionally, as part of its commitment to community development in Hong Kong, Realeague has partnered with the InspiringHK Sports Foundation to organize a basketball clinic during the invitational tournament for over 40 junior and high school students in the city. Participants aged 13 to 18 were coached by university team coaches, players and Realeague staff in various basketball skills, such as dribbling, shooting, as well as fostering the concept of teamwork.