Sporting Champions
If you think disability means inability, don’t! The Hong Kong Table Tennis Open for the Disabled 2007 is where national table tennis squads from Australia, France, Germany, Japan and Korea amongst others will go head to head. All players are sanctioned by their respective National Paralympics Committee and will be eligible for ranking points for the 2008 Paralympics Games – expect the standard of play to be very high. Competitors will vie in two classes, wheelchair and standing, at the HK Institute of Education Amenities & Sports Complex which is organising the event.
What: Hong Kong Table Tennis Open for the Disabled 2007 When: July 19-23 Where: The Hong Kong Institute of Education Amenities & Sports Complex How much: Free Enquiries: www.paralympic.org Tel: 2602 8232

Boots and All
With major tournaments in Hong Kong and Macau, July seems to be a month for a touch of footie mania. One of the world’s top football teams, Manchester United, is coming to Macau on July 23 as part of its Asia Tour 2007. The United tour starts in Japan on July 17, moves to Korea on the July 20 and, after Macau, ends in Malaysia on July 27. Manchester United’s Chief Executive, David Gill, says his team will be spurred to play their best for the club’s many fans in Asia: the Venetian Macao Cup will be held at the Macao Stadium and matches United against Shenzhen Xiangxue. Tickets are already sold out but maybe you can catch the match on TV or nab a ticket from a fan with a rare spare for sale.
What: Venetian Macao Cup When: July 23 Where: Macao Stadium How Much: Sold Out Enquiries: www.muasiatour2007.com

And in Hong Kong, The Barclays Asia Trophy will be held on July 24 and 27. The first game of this tourney is on July 24 at 6pm between Portsmouth and Fulham and the second, on the same day at 8:30pm, pits Liverpool against South China. The third and fourth games will be play-offs for third and fourth places with the final on July 27.
What: Barclays Asia Trophy When: July 24 & 27 Where: Hong Kong Stadium How Much: $150, $200, $250 and $350 Enquiries: www.hkfa.com

Thrust and Cut
Although in the old days a duelling scar was a sign of honour, it is highly unlikely scars will be looked on favourably in the Hong Kong Fencing Association’s Open Fencing Championships on July 28 and 29. Relying on artistry and skill, fencing is popular with men and women, and the championship includes competitions for both – sabre and epee on July 28 while the foil contests will be fought on the following day. And if you don’t know the difference, a foil is a light thrusting sword used only to score hits on the opponent’s torso while an epee is similar but heavier and scores hits anywhere on the body. A sabre cuts and thrusts, scoring hits anywhere above the waist except the back of the head and the palms of the hands. For those interested in competing, the application deadline is 5pm on July 19 at Room 1011, Olympic House. You may only enter one event each day and you must provide all your own gear, including the proper clothing and protection.
What: LCSD Open Fencing Championships When: July 28, 2pm-9pm Men’s and Ladies’ Epee, 3:30pm-9pm Men’s and Ladies’ Sabre; July 29, 9am-9pm Men’s Foil, 11am-9pm Ladies’ Foil Where: Arena, Hong Kong Park Sports Centre (Admiralty MTR Station) How much: $70 per event ($60 entry fee + $10 insurance fee) Enquiries: www.hkafa.org.hk Tel: 2504 8106