Yao Ming and stars visit Hong Kong for Rugby World Cup push
On.cc · 1 SOURCES1 day ago5 MIN
Summary
Chinese sports greats Yao Ming (姚明), Li Xiaopeng (李小鵬) and Deng Yaping (鄧亞萍) visited Hong Kong in recent days and appeared at a rugby ground for a training session with children, helping promote next year’s Men’s Rugby World Cup. The three, who are members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, joined Laureus ambassador and former England World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio at a session under the “Youth Well-being Through Sport Programme” organised by Laureus and the Rugby For Good Foundation. Twenty primary school pupils took part in the session and interacted with the visiting sports figures. The event also encouraged support for Hong Kong’s men’s team, which has qualified for the Rugby World Cup finals for the first time and will begin its campaign on October 1 next year against host nation Australia before playing Chile and New Zealand
Key Points
- Yao Ming, Li Xiaopeng and Deng Yaping appeared at a Hong Kong rugby venue in recent days to help publicise next year’s Men’s Rugby World Cup
- The trio attended in their capacity as members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, alongside Laureus ambassador Lawrence Dallaglio, a former England World Cup-winning player
- The training session was part of the “Youth Well-being Through Sport Programme”, jointly run by Laureus and the Rugby For Good Foundation
- A total of 20 primary school children joined the class, receiving an unusual training experience and direct interaction with the visiting sports stars
- Hong Kong’s men will make their Rugby World Cup finals debut next year in Australia, opening on October 1 against Australia, then facing Chile and New Zealand
Why It Matters
The appearance of high-profile athletes from different sports gives extra visibility to Hong Kong’s first qualification for the Men’s Rugby World Cup finals and may help build wider public support beyond rugby’s usual audience. By linking elite role models with a youth training programme, the event also reinforced the message that sport can build confidence, resilience and teamwork among children in Hong Kong