Hong Kong’s flag footballers eye spot at Los Angeles Olympics in 2028
Qualification process is still being formatted, but sport set to be ‘hot ticket’ in three years’ time
The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) is formulating the qualification procedure for flag football’s first Olympic appearance in 2028, and Hong Kong’s athletes have already got their eyes on a spot.
With six men’s and six women’s teams expected to compete in Los Angeles, the federation said it was working with the International Olympic Committee on that pathway.
Hong Kong could go through Asia and Oceania, with the two regions competing in a championship in Ningbo, China, this October as part of the sport’s push to grow globally.
This summer, a European Championship will be held in Paris, and one for the Americas will take place in Panama.
In February, the Hong Kong LionroX took silver at a major club tournament in Thailand, and quarterback Vincent Cheung Yin-zi said the city would put together a combined side from its players in a push to reach LA in three years’ time.
“Since this tournament is through IFAF, the official organisation leading to the Olympics, we will be playing as the Hong Kong, China representative team,” he said.