Passing, jumping and shooting. Anticipating, catching and counter-attacking. In a flash of lightning-fast movement, players surge across the court in a high-octane battle of reflexes, trading plays around neutral rebound frames where every second counts.
Expanding reach: Tchoukball Association of Hong Kong, China committee member Chen Shut notes that the funding will fuel training courses and two major local competitions to bring the sport to a wider audience. Image source: www.news.gov.hk
Known as the “gentleman’s sport”, tchoukball is rapidly capturing attention across Hong Kong with its unique blend of relentless pace and strict no-contact rules.
Behind this growing sporting phenomenon, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has made its funding scheme for new sports a permanent initiative, ensuring sustained support for organisations promoting emerging sports across Hong Kong.
Unique gameplay
Unlike conventional ball games, tchoukball teams share neutral rebound frames at both ends of the court, meaning either target can be attacked.
To score, players hurl the ball at a frame; it must rebound outside the "forbidden zone" and hit the court before a defender catches it. A caught rebound instantly sparks a counter-attack, which can be at either end of the court.
With no pass interceptions, shot-blocking or physical contact allowed, this strict code of fair play keeps action clean, earning tchoukball its reputation as a gentleman’s sport.
Game on: Leisure & Cultural Services Department Leisure Manager (Sports Funding) Jasmine Choi emphasises that the scheme aims to broaden public sporting choices and encourage an active, healthy lifestyle across the community. Image source: www.news.gov.hk
Teamwork focus
For player Thomas Lui, who first encountered the sport during a physical education lesson at primary school, tchoukball’s magic lies in its unique rules and absolute demand for collective trust.
During an attack, rules restrict a player from holding the ball for more than three seconds and taking more than three steps. A team is also allowed a maximum of three passes before taking a shot.
“We cannot dribble when we attack, and defenders cannot obstruct their opponents,” Mr Lui explained.
For him, the sport’s greatest appeal lies in its emphasis on teamwork.
Winning requires more than just one star player. Everyone has to pull their weight and trust that their teammates will deliver.
“This naturally creates a cohesive and supportive environment,” Mr Lui said.
Early sparks: Tchoukball player Thomas Lui encountered the sport during a physical education lesson at primary school, igniting a passion for the fast-paced game. Image source: www.news.gov.hk
Financial backing
To support the development of emerging sports, the LCSD launched the Pilot Scheme on Subvention for New Sports in 2021, providing eligible sports organisations with funding on an individual project basis to promote new sports.
Following positive results, the initiative was regularised starting from 2025-26.
Among the beneficiaries is the Tchoukball Association of Hong Kong, China, which received about $100,000 in funding for the 2026-27 term.
Association committee member Chen Shut said the funding will mainly support promotional training courses and two major local showcases: the Inter-school Tchoukball Competition and the Hong Kong Tchoukball League.
“The resources provided under the scheme allow the league to be organised more systematically, as part of the venue rental costs can be subsidised,” Ms Chen said.
Following the scheme’s regularisation, the association is also exploring sustainable promotional initiatives, including inter-district training courses.
“The funding provides more opportunities for Hong Kong citizens to experience new sports,” she said. “At the same time, it allows us to promote tchoukball and make the sport more widely known.”
Broad growth
LCSD figures show that 23 sports organisations received funding in 2025-26 following the scheme’s regularisation, with that figure rising to 28 in 2026-27.
Financial support has also grown from the pilot stage.
LCSD Leisure Manager (Sports Funding) Jasmine Choi noted that the funding ceiling for each successful organisation rose from $180,000 in 2024-25 to $200,000 in 2025-26.
The department will continue to earmark $5 million annually to back eligible sports bodies on an individual project basis.
“Through the Subvention Scheme for New Sports, the department hopes to provide sustained support for sports organisations committed to developing and promoting new sports in Hong Kong,” Ms Choi said.
“We also wish to give members of the public more opportunities to learn about and try different new sports, broaden their choices in sports participation and ultimately encourage more people to exercise regularly and lead an active lifestyle.”
Commissioner for Development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area promotes GBA opportunities and Hong Kong's strengths in London
The Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Miss Pamela Lam, concluded a four-day visit to London, the United Kingdom (UK) on October 17 (London time). During her visit, Miss Lam took part in a series of events covering talent recruitment, economic and trade promotion, cultural industries and youth development to promote Hong Kong's strengths and the development opportunities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), as well as Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan.
During the visit, Miss Lam attended the "Hong Kong • Global Talent & Career Showcase" organised by Hong Kong Talent Engage to introduce GBA opportunities and Hong Kong's strengths. In her keynote speech, she said that Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan clearly states that Hong Kong will continue to participate in the development of the GBA into an international first-class bay area with global influence. Among the initiatives, the Northern Metropolis serves as the main platform for Hong Kong to deeply engage in the development of the GBA, and to actively integrate into and serve overall national development. The Hong Kong Park in the Hetao ShenzhenHong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone is a cross-boundary co-operation platform that is a key national development priority, where enterprises and international professionals can leverage Hong Kong's internationalised innovation and technology (I&T) research and business environment to gain easy access to the industrial chains and markets of Shenzhen and other GBA cities, bringing unprecedented opportunities for global talent.
Miss Lam also attended a business luncheon jointly organised by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office (GBA Office) and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London. She briefed representatives from the business sector, including the China-Britain Business Council and the Hong Kong Association, on Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, as well as Hong Kong's outstanding performance in economic freedom, competitiveness and financial markets. She stressed that over the next five years, Hong Kong will consolidate and enhance its traditional strengths, strengthen I&T co-operation and prioritise the Northern Metropolis for future development to open a new chapter for I&T. She encouraged enterprises to leverage Hong Kong's advantage of being closely connected to both the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world, and to establish a presence in the city to tap into the huge GBA market .
On the youth and cultural front, Miss Lam met with Hong Kong students studying in the UK, and introduced the diverse opportunities available for young people across various sectors under the GBA development as set out in Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan. She also attended a cocktail reception to promote culture and the arts in the GBA. In her speech, she highlighted that during the National 15th Five-Year Plan period, Hong Kong will continue in its important role as an East-meets-West centre for cultural and artistic exchange. Hong Kong is among the world's top three arts trading centres. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will further expand the scale of Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries. She encouraged collectors, museums, and arts and cultural institutions around the world to make good use of Hong Kong's role as the "super connector" and "super value-adder" to connect with the vast cultural and arts markets and resources in the GBA.
While in London, Miss Lam also called on the Minister and Chief of the Economic and Commercial Section of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, Mr Yu Benlin, and briefed him on Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and the work of the HKSAR Government in taking forward GBA development.
The GBA Office will continue to step up promotion of the opportunities in GBA development and Hong Kong's strengths through overseas visits and by leveraging the international connections of overseas Economic and Trade Offices and partner organisations.
Commissioner for Development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area promotes GBA opportunities and Hong Kong's strengths in London Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Commissioner for Development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area promotes GBA opportunities and Hong Kong's strengths in London Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Commissioner for Development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area promotes GBA opportunities and Hong Kong's strengths in London Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Commissioner for Development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area promotes GBA opportunities and Hong Kong's strengths in London Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Commissioner for Development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area promotes GBA opportunities and Hong Kong's strengths in London Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Commissioner for Development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area promotes GBA opportunities and Hong Kong's strengths in London Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Commissioner for Development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area promotes GBA opportunities and Hong Kong's strengths in London Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
