BASEBALL, NOT SOFTBALL
Watching Madonna and Geena Davis in 1992’s A League of Their Own might be the first and only time you’ve seen ladies baseball. But the sport popularity locally amongst the fairer sex is growing and to celebrate its 15th anniversary the Hong Kong Baseball Association is organizing the first international women’s baseball tournament to be staged in Hong Kong. The First Oregon Scientific Phoenix Cup HK International Women’s Baseball Tournament 2008 will see the Fragrant Harbour’s representatives slugging it out against teams from Taiwan, North America, Korea, and Australia. The four-day long tournament will be held on the Sai Tso Wan Baseball Field which opened in 2004 and was the first standard size field in Hong Kong.
What: Oregon Scientific Phoenix Cup
When: February 14-17
Where: Sai Tso Wan Baseball Field, No 90 Sin Fat Road,
Lam Tin, Kowloon
How Much: Free to watch
Enquiries: www.hkbaseball.org

WUSHU WALLOPS
If you want to witness the modernisation of truly antique disciplines such as Chinese martial arts, you might be interested in wushu, the sport that fuses traditional full contact martial arts specialities with acrobatic and gymnastic performances. The Third International Wushu Competition, organised by the Hong Kong Wushu School, will be held in Kowloon Bay from February 15-20. Athletes will perform singularly, in pairs and in group performances, ranging from the more traditional martial arts-derived confrontations using long and short weapons, to the modern wushu disciplines that feature acrobatic throws and aerial techniques. Competitors come from all over the world and range from 5 to 90 years old. The event is free to watch but, with a limited number of seats available, call first to make sure you get a place.
What: The Third International Wushu Competition
Where: HK International Trade & Exhibition Center, Kowloon Bay
When: February 15-20
How much: Free to watch, but limited number of seats
Enquiries: 9043 3821 or www.hkwushuschool.com

FOOTBALL FAN-atics
This year’s Lunar New Year Football Cup comes complete with a brand new format. A Hong Kong League Select Team will compete against four club opponents from around the globe. World club champions Penarol from Uruguay, Ulsan Hyunday from South Korea and six-time league champions Hajduk Split from Croatia. The fun kick-offs on the 7th of February with the HK League taking on Penarol at 3pm and Hajduck Split playing against Ulsan Hyunday at 5.30pm. The deciding playoff and the Grand Final are on the 10th February. Tickets are on sale at the HK Stadium and the HKFA head office in Homantin from January 26.
What: The Wing Lung Bank 2008 Lunar New Year Cup
Where: HK Stadium
When: February 7-10
How Much: $380, $280, $200 and $150
Enquiries: www.hkfa.com

(Hit) The Races
It’s become traditional for local racing fans to kick start the New Year at the Sha Tin Racecourse on the first race day of the new lunar calendar. On February 9, the third day of Chinese New Year, the racecourse will be jam-packed with race-goers hoping to be lucky enough to hold a winning ticket. The opening ceremony, including a variety show, begins at 11 am at the Parade Ring with the first race starting at 12:25pm – the featured race of the day is the Class 1 1400-metres.
What: New Year’s Raceday
When: February 9
Where: Sha Tin Racecourse
How much: $10 for public tickets
Enquiries: www.hkjc.com

(Love) The Races
Horseracing is not a traditional way to spend a romantic evening, but the HK Jockey Club has organized a Valentine’s Day Race Night on the February 13 at the Happy Valley Racecourse. The racecourse will be transformed into three zones for the evening, each with its own theme. The Beer Garden and the Adrenaline venues will be open to the public, while the ‘Garden of Eve’ themed party will be exclusive to members of the club. Reservations are required for access to Adrenaline.
What: Valentine’s Day Race Night Where: Happy Valley Racecourse When: February 13 How Much: $10 standard fee to enter the venue; $180 to book a table at Adrenaline Enquiries: To book at Adrenaline 3690 3690; The HK Jockey Club 2966 8111

GOLF FOR GALS
Local ladies will have the chance to demonstrate their swing at the HK Ladies Close Amateur Championship 2008, a tournament open to all female golfers in Hong Kong that were either born or are current residents in the city. The championship will be held in Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, and young talents such as Tiffany Chan and Stephanie Ho will be participating. Competitors will play one another on March 5 and 6 while the final will be held on March 7. Application forms must be submitted by February 15.
What: Hong Kong Ladies Close Amateur Championship
Where: Discovery Bay Golf Club, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island When: March 5-7 How Much: $800 participating fee
Enquiries: www.hkga.com

MOUNTAIN MARATHON
There’s probably no need to remind you of the upcoming Standard Chartered Marathon on February 17. The quota of 8,000 runners was reached long ago, so if you are itching for a good sweat instead of just cheering on the runners, book yourself in for the The King of the Hills. The fifth and last run of the series is the Sham Tseng Mountain Marathon and Half Marathon which start from the Sham Tseng Reservoir on the February 24. The trail gets very hilly and steep in certain sections, especially on the descent of Tai Mo Shan in the full marathon and the descent from Lin Fa Shan to Sheung Tong in the half marathon. Runners for the full marathon will have 37km and seven hours to test their quadriceps while the half marathon covers 22.5km and has to be completed in a maximum of six hours. Running starts at 9am, but be there at 8am for registration. The participating fee is $160. You can register on the day or online at www.seyonasia.com at least 48 hours prior to the race.
What: Sham Tseng Mountain Marathon When: February 24 Where: Sham Tseng Reservoir How much: $160 Enquiries: www.seyonasia.com