Riding the Wind
The several beaches scattered around Hong Kong provide great opportunities for a thriving water sporting culture that really kicks off in summer. The Windsurfing Circuit, hosted by HK’s Windsurfing Association, is a case in point. Held on July 19 and 20 at Cheung Chau, the event is the second of the six total circuits in the entire competition. There are four classes: RS:X, Raceboard 05, Raceboard 7.8 and IMCO – the latter two groups will be striving to win the Grand Champion medal where the person with the fewest points wins. These categories are divided according to gender and/or ability levels.
What: Windsurfing Circuit 2008
When: 11:00am on July 19 and 10:00am on July 20
Where: Kwun Yam Wan, Cheng Chau
How Much: Free to watch
Enquiries: www.windsurfing.org.hk or 2504 8255

Cue Up
Though billiards started off as an outdoor game, the British popularised it as an indoor game of skill in the 19th century. The game, with its various coloured balls and uniformly green tables, was even used to display the potential for colour TV by none other than BBC’s David Attenborough in 1969. It has long since spread across the world to Hong Kong, where the Billiard’s Sports Control Council will host a Snooker Super League where the top eight winners of last year’s Super League will battle it out against the winners of the Snooker Open Championship. The event begins with a round-robin team system and a knockout system at quarter-, semi-finals, and final.
What: Snooker Super League
When: 7:30 pm every night starting July 19
Where: General Snooker Club and Salem Billiard Club
How Much: Free
Enquiries: www.hkbilliardsports.org.hk

Cotai Challenge
If you’re planning a trip to Macau this summer, why not drop by the Cotai Strip Arena and catch the opening matches of the 2008 USA Basketball International Challenge? The three games between July 31 and August 2 will feature the USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team against European powers Turkey and Lithuania. This will be the American team’s first visit to Macau. Stars to look out for include Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics), LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers).
What: 2008 USA Basketball International Challenge When: 7:30pm, July 31-August 2
Where: The Cotai Strip Arena at the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, Macau
How much: $180-$1,280 from www.venetianmacaotickets.com or (852) 6333 6660/(853) 2882 8818
Enquiries: www.venetianmacaotickets.com

Bledisloe Tickets
As we’ve told you several times already this November, the fourth and final Bledisloe Cup match of 2008 is taking place in our very own HK Stadium, where the Wallabies and the All Blacks will battle tooth and nail to become the 2008 champions. Tickets will be up for grabs from July 28 onwards.
What: Bledisloe Cup 2008 Match 4
When: 4:30pm on November 1
Where: HK Stadium
How much: $1,080, $980 and $880 from July 28 onwards
Enquiries: info@hkrugby.com

Charity Footwork
Euro 2008 might have ended but soccer excitement continues with the Windsor Arch Cup-Macau International Football Challenge on July 26 to keep football fans all fired up. As the second station of the Samsung Chelsea Asia Tour 2008, the match between Chelsea FC from England’s Premier League and Chengdu Blades FC from China’s Super League (based in the earthquake-damaged Sichuan province) should be a showcase of some mesmerizing footwork and, we hope, inspiring West-East sportsmanship. All ticketing revenue will go towards earthquake relief in Sichuan.
What: The Windsor Arch Cup-Macau International Football Challenge
Who: Chelsea FC vs Chengdu Blades FC
When: July 26
Where: Macau Stadium
How much: MOP$300, MOP$600, and MOP$900 at the Macau Stadium’s Box Office
Enquiries: 2823 6363