分类： sports

The 15th National Games concluded on November 21, marking a historic milestone in Chinese sports history. For the first time, Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao jointly hosted this prestigious multi-sport event, showcasing an innovative application of the ‘one country, two systems’ policy. The collaboration spanned infrastructure development, rule harmonization, and the creation of shared mechanisms, fostering a unified sense of belonging among the three regions. This groundbreaking initiative not only highlighted the enduring vitality of the policy but also demonstrated its practical benefits in fostering regional cooperation and unity. The event’s success underscores the potential for further integration and mutual development under this framework, setting a precedent for future collaborations.

The 15th National Games, jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, have become a platform not only for athletic competition but also for showcasing China’s technological innovation and cultural integration. Held in Guangzhou and Shanwei, the event has drawn attention from cross-boundary visitors who were particularly impressed by the seamless integration of technology into everyday life.

Kinki Chan Tong-ieng, a Macao resident, visited Shanwei to support her son, Chan Man-hin, who was representing Macao in the sailing regatta. She was struck by the efficiency of facial recognition technology used for spectator check-ins and the convenience of mobile apps for real-time competition updates. ‘The process was smooth, secure, and incredibly efficient,’ she remarked.

Chan also highlighted the widespread use of technology on the mainland, especially in transportation and payments. ‘We used Didi for ride-hailing, which was transparent in pricing and quick to respond,’ she said, contrasting it with the limited availability of such services in Macao.

For Chan Man-hin, the games were more than just a competition; they were an opportunity to witness China’s rapid development firsthand. ‘I had the chance to interact with athletes from the mainland and Hong Kong, and their advice was invaluable,’ he shared. Despite the challenging sailing conditions, with waves reaching 2 to 3 meters, Chan emphasized the camaraderie among competitors and encouraged fellow Macao residents to experience such events.

The National Games have thus served as a window into modern China, blending sports, technology, and cultural exchange, leaving a lasting impression on participants and spectators alike.

Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations face a significant challenge as key defender Gabriel is likely to miss the highly anticipated clash against Tottenham Hotspur due to a thigh injury. The Brazilian centre-back, a linchpin in Mikel Arteta’s defensive setup, sustained the injury during Brazil’s friendly against Senegal, casting a shadow over Arsenal’s preparations for the North London derby. Gabriel’s absence could disrupt Arsenal’s defensive solidity, particularly in aerial duels, where he has been dominant this season. The Gunners, currently leading the league by four points over Manchester City, are already grappling with fitness concerns surrounding Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli. Former England striker Alan Shearer emphasized Gabriel’s irreplaceability, stating, ‘Arsenal are losing probably the best centre-half in the Premier League.’ Potential replacements include Piero Hincapie, Cristhian Mosquera, or a positional switch for Riccardo Calafiori. Meanwhile, Tottenham, under new manager Thomas Frank, boast the league’s best away record and have shown resilience despite injuries to key attackers like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski. A victory for Spurs could reignite the title race and intensify the battle for Champions League qualification. Elsewhere, Manchester City, led by the prolific Erling Haaland, aim to maintain their momentum against Newcastle United, while Liverpool seek to recover from a dismal run against Nottingham Forest. Manchester United, riding a five-game unbeaten streak, will look to continue their resurgence against Everton.

Despite the Chinese national soccer team’s repeated failure to qualify for the World Cup and the ongoing struggles of its top clubs in Asian competitions, there are signs of hope for the sport in China. The 2025 Chinese Super League season concluded on a positive note, with Shanghai Port poised to retain the title if they secure a draw in their final match against Dalian. Should they falter, city rivals Shanghai Shenhua could seize the opportunity. The season has seen an average attendance of 26,000 per match, the highest among top Asian leagues and a significant improvement from a decade ago when Chinese clubs splurged on international stars like Oscar, Tevez, and Hulk, and renowned coaches such as Marcello Lippi and Manuel Pellegrini. Today, the league lacks such high-profile names, and clubs face financial difficulties, but the passion for soccer remains undiminished. Simon Chadwick, a professor of AfroEurasian Sport at Emlyon Business School in France, noted that a dedicated fan base persists in China, undeterred by recent challenges. While the sustainability of this resurgence is uncertain, Chadwick believes the seeds of a new era in Chinese soccer are beginning to sprout. This revival extends beyond the professional level, with amateur regional leagues flourishing across the country. The Jiangsu Football City League, launched in May 2025, has been particularly successful, drawing an average attendance of 30,000 and culminating in a final that attracted 62,000 spectators in Nanjing. The league’s success has inspired other provinces to establish similar competitions, marking a shift from top-down initiatives to grassroots, community-driven growth. Taizhou coach Zhou Gaoping emphasized the league’s role in rediscovering the essence of soccer, transcending mere victories and defeats. As Taizhou prepares for the 2026 season with overwhelming player interest, the future of Chinese soccer appears promising, even as the national team remains absent from the World Cup. If this trend continues, soccer could experience unprecedented growth in one of the world’s most populous nations.

India’s cricket captain, Shubman Gill, faces uncertainty regarding his participation in the second test against South Africa due to a neck injury. Gill, who was forced to retire hurt during the first innings of the Kolkata test—a match India lost by 30 runs—traveled with the team to Guwahati on Wednesday. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addressed the media on Thursday, indicating that Gill’s availability hinges on the risk of a recurring neck spasm. ‘He is definitely recovering really well. The decision will be made tomorrow evening,’ Kotak stated. ‘If there’s a guarantee that the issue won’t recur, he will play. Otherwise, he will rest for one more game, as it wouldn’t benefit the team.’ Should Gill be sidelined, vice-captain Rishabh Pant is set to lead the team in the second test, which begins on Saturday in Guwahati. Kotak emphasized the team’s depth, noting, ‘Any team would miss a player and captain like Shubman. But we have plenty of good players who should step up and perform.’ Potential replacements include Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. The series between India and South Africa will continue with three one-day internationals and five T20 internationals scheduled from November 30 to December 19.

In a stunning display of cricketing prowess, Zimbabwe claimed its largest-ever Twenty20 victory over Sri Lanka, triumphing by 67 runs in the opening match of the tri-series held in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Captain Sikandar Raza and fast bowler Brad Evans spearheaded the team’s dominant performance, with Evans delivering an exceptional spell of 3-9, supported by a collective effort from all six bowlers who contributed wickets.

The 2025 Formula 1 season has been a tale of two teams: McLaren’s resurgence and Red Bull’s struggle to maintain its historic dominance. While McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have emerged as the frontrunners, Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time champion, has been fighting an uphill battle to keep his title hopes alive. Despite a late-season surge, Verstappen acknowledges that a fifth consecutive championship is highly improbable. The season began with Red Bull’s lackluster performance in Australia, a stark contrast to the team’s previous dominance. Verstappen, however, has managed to stay competitive, securing seven consecutive podiums and three wins in the last six races. Yet, with three races remaining, he trails Norris by 49 points and Piastri by 25. Verstappen remains pragmatic, stating that a title win would require significant luck and a dramatic turnaround. His focus now is on maximizing his car’s potential and finishing the season strong. Meanwhile, Norris’s consistent performance suggests that Verstappen’s prediction last year—that Norris’s time would come—might soon be fulfilled. As the season nears its end, Verstappen’s legacy as one of F1’s greats remains intact, even if his reign as champion appears to be winding down.