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Mike Chan

Hong Kong’s lacrosse stars are ready to “fight for their spot” at the Olympics after the sport’s surprise inclusion for 2028 in Los Angeles.
Cricket, flag football, lacrosse, squash and baseball-softball were all approved for inclusion in the next Games on Monday by the International Olympic Committee an a meeting in Mumbai.
The five sports has been proposed by organisers last week, as is their right under IOC rules for their edition of the Games.
Hong Kong’s former captain Kelvin Mak Ho-chun, who retired after July’s World Championships in San Diego, insisted the city will be up against it to qualify for Los Angeles – but they will not back down from the challenge.
“It will highly depend on the format of the qualification,” Mak told the Post. “Despite the recent performance of both the men’s and women’s teams, we still understand that it won’t be easy.
“But Hong Kong will definitely fight for a spot.”

Regardless of Hong Kong making it to LA, Mak insisted that it was “very exciting” to see lacrosse be included in the Olympic Games.
“It’s not only the dream for lacrosse athletes – it will also become an unprecedented opportunity for the development of lacrosse in Hong Kong and in the world,” he said.
“I hope this will encourage more Hong Kong people to engage in lacrosse, and that eventually Team Hong Kong, China will compete in the Olympics.”
Raymond Fong Kong, chairman of Hong Kong, China Lacrosse Association, admitted his surprise at seeing lacrosse get the nod for the Games, and he thanked the sport’s global governing body for not giving up.
“Things have been moving fast for us over the past couple of days. With lacrosse being recommended to the IOC last week, we knew our chance had come,” he said.
“I am really happy as we have finally made the list. World Lacrosse has done so much over the past few years, so credit to them.
“Looking at the five new Olympic sports for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, they are all team sports, with many more athletes. So I’m surprised we all made the list in the end. Perhaps with the host being a strong country in these sports helps.
The five sports were voted in as a single package, with only two out of around 90 IOC members voting against the proposal at the session.

Flag football and squash will be making their debuts at the Games, while cricket will return for the first time since 1900. Baseball and softball have featured at several Olympiads, most recently Tokyo 2020.
It will be lacrosse’s third appearance at the Olympic Games, after St Louis 1904 and London 1908 – and Fong is hoping it may now be included at regional Asian events.
“Let’s see if lacrosse will make it to the Asian Games and National Games too,” the chief added.
“I’d say Hong Kong have pretty good chances to win a medal or two given our rankings for both the men’s and women’s teams in the world.”


World Lacrosse Super Sixes: Hong Kong confident about hosting rights as LA 2028 approaches

Hong Kong’s men guaranteed best-ever finish at World Lacrosse Box Championships in US

World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship: US confirm status as world’s best in one-sided final

World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship: China prove ‘best of the rest’, Hong Kong falter

Lacrosse

Hong Kong ready to fight for Olympic spot after lacrosse’s surprise inclusion in 2028 Los Angeles Games

Hong Kong’s lacrosse players celebrate reaching the main play-offs bracket at July’s World Championships. Photo: Handout 

Former captain Kelvin Mak Ho-chun is confident Hong Kong can challenge for Olympic qualification. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong’s lacrosse chief is confident the city’s women can also fight for an Olympic spot. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

LA Olympics: organisers propose cricket, flag football, lacrosse, squash to make debuts 2028 Games

Three sports have potential to debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Photo: Reuters

Squash, featured at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, could soon make an Olympic debut. Photo: AP

Asian Games 2023: Hong Kong stars feted at government reception, but Olympic committee chief promises funding review

(From left) Timothy Fok of the Olympic Committee, fencer Cheung Ka-long, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee and fencer Chan Wai-ling at the reception. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

(From left) Fok, Lee, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki and Kevin Yeung pose with the athletes. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Asian Games 2023: curtain falls on triumphant fortnight for hosts China – and Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s delegation enters the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium during the closing ceremony of the Asian Games. Photo: Xinhua

The closing ceremony of the Asian Games. Photo: Kyodo

Wong Hok-him carries the Hong Kong flag into the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium during the closing ceremony. Photo: Xinhua

Asian Games 2023: North Korea to let drug testers visit, Olympic Council of Asia says as it faces sanction for raising country’s flag in Hangzhou

Volunteers carry the North Korean flag ahead of the women’s football gold medal match in Hangzhou. Photo: Reuters

The North Korea flag is hoisted during the men’s 66kg judo medal ceremony. Photo: Reuters

Silver medallists North Korea stand on the podium during the medal ceremony for women’s football. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Hong Kong

Former captain Kelvin Mak Ho-chun admits city will be up against it in bid to qualify – but says team will not back down from the challenge
Hong Kong lacrosse chairman hopes inclusion at Olympics could see the sport make it into the Asian Games, where ‘we could win a medal or two’


Hong Kong lacrosse chairman hopes inclusion in Los Angeles could see the sport make it into the Asian Games, where ‘we could win a medal or two’.


Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games

Hong Kong ready to fight for Olympic spot after lacrosse’s surprise inclusion in 2028 Los Angeles Games

Former captain Kelvin Mak Ho-chun admits city will be up against it in bid to qualify – but says team will not back down from the challenge Hong Kong lacrosse chairman hopes inclusion at Olympics could see the sport make it into the Asian Games, where ‘we could win a medal or two’

Former captain Kelvin Mak Ho-chun admits city will be up against it in bid to qualify – but says team will not back down from the challenge

Hong Kong lacrosse chairman hopes inclusion at Olympics could see the sport make it into the Asian Games, where ‘we could win a medal or two’