Bledisloe Cup
These two fierce competitors who have been battling each other since 1903 – the Wallabies and the All Blacks, respectively the rugby teams of Australia and New Zealand – meet again on November 1, this time in Hong Kong. The Bledisloe Cup, named after a former Governor-General of New Zealand, is one of the world’s major rugby trophies and confers serious bragging rights on the holder. The series has attracted two of the biggest crowds in the history of world rugby – 109,874 people at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney in 2000, and 107,042 at the same venue the previous year. This is the first time ever a match from the Bledisloe series is being held outside the home countries – currently New Zealand lead the four match series 2-1. Tickets are $1,080, $980 and $880 from HK Ticketing.
What: First Bledisloe Cup
When: November 1, 4:30pm
Where: Hong Kong Stadium
Enquiries: 3128 8288.
 Get Active
This is one offer you can’t pass up – especially if you are a sports fan. The Masters Games is back this year, brought to you by The Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Those who claim they are bored of competing with people half their ages at local clubs will be up against people their own ages in the games or can enrol to umpire some of the events.
If you’re 35 or above, you can choose between badminton, distance running, swimming, table tennis, tai chi and tennis, for a modest fee of $20 for individual events and $60 for team events. Medals will be awarded to those securing the first three positions. Competitions are on now until February. See www.lcsd.gov.hk/me/mastergame/en/index.php for the schedule and enrolment.
What: The Masters Games
When: From September 2008-February 2009.
Where: Various locations on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon
Enquiries: 2601 7672, http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/me/mastergame/en/index.php
 First Asian Beach GamesAfter being lauded for hosting a successful Paralympic Equestrian Events, it’s time for Hong Kong to shift focus and extend the sporting spirit to the First Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia.
Thirty athletes from Hong Kong will take part in seven – beach handball, beach volleyball, bodybuilding, marathon swimming, sailing, triathlon and windsurfing – of the 16 events of the games (excluding two demonstrated sports) from Oct 18-26.
A total of 45 countries and 10,000 athletes and officials are taking part in this mega event. Some of the more interesting events at the games to look forward to are beach kabaddi, beach pencat silak, beach sepaktakraw, beach soccer, beach wrestling, dragon boating, jet ski sport, paragliding, surfing, and woodball – the complete package for a beach games lover. The demonstration sports are beach basketball and beach water polo - and yes this is a sport.
If you can’t make it to Bali to watch our heroes in action, watch out for updated competition results on the official website of the games www.hkolympic.org.
What: First Asian Beach Games
When: October 18 to 26
Where: Bali, Indonesia
Enquiries: www.hkolympic.org
 Walk for a CauseWalking just became healthier in more ways than one in the Walk for Nature. In addition to the exercise you’ll get, you can help make Hong Kong more eco-friendly and stop the degradation of our natural environment.
The venue for the event on October 26 and November 2 is the wetland and birdwatcher’s paradise, Mai Po Nature Reserve, managed by WWF. Become at one with nature as you admire its wonders and at the same time are educated on how we can live sustainably to save the planet, or at least preserve Hong Kong’s natural environment. The theme of this year’s annual charity walk is ‘Sustainable Living’.
What: Walk for Nature@Mai Po
When: October 26-November 2
Where: Mai Po Nature Reserve
Enquiry: 2526 1011, wwf.org.hk/walk
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