East Asia Super League: competition’s boss aims to get Hong Kong’s games played at Kai Tak

‘The future for us’ will be at the new sports facility, says Henry Kerins, as Eastern are defeated in their home debut in the regional league

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Japanese B.League outfit Hiroshima Dragonflies (in red) have beaten Hong Kong Eastern in both outings this season. Photo: Handout

Published: 7:00pm, 31 Oct 2024

The chief of the East Asia Super League has revealed that he aims to bring Hong Kong’s matches in the regional basketball league to Kai Tak Sports Park after Eastern made their long-awaited home debut at the Southorn Stadium on Thursday.

However, Hong Kong Eastern threw away a seven-point halftime lead over Hiroshima Dragonflies to lose 88-75 on home soil, staying winless two games into the season. They had also lost to the Japanese B.1 league champions in Fukuyama a fortnight ago.

“As someone that grew up here, bringing it here is really special,” said Henry Kerins, chief executive of EASL. “Also, elevating the level of basketball for our city, bringing this on a broadcast to millions of people around the world, it’s the first time – we’re really proud of that.”

With a limited choice of venues around the city, Eastern will be playing their remaining two home games in Wan Chai.

But Kerins revealed plans about moving those home games to Kai Tak Arena, the indoor arena of the state-of-the-art, HK$30 billion facility in Kowloon.

Chris McLaughlin finished with a team-high 24 points and 14 rebounds for Hong Kong Eastern. Photo: Handout

“Hong Kong, I think, realised that problem five years ago and started building one of the best facilities in the world with Kai Tak,” he said. “Obviously, we’re playing here; we love Southorn – it’s a very compact, community-based arena.