Asia
Features
Hosting the SEA Games: is the juice still worth the squeeze?
The Southeast Asian Games has grown to be unrecognisable from its first edition in Bangkok in 1959. Is it still relevant for the region, or has it been supplanted by its bigger brother, the Asian Games?
Yao Ming’s CBA juggling act gets a boost from NBA travails
After the Morey tweets, sentiment in the Chinese basketball sponsorship marketplace has swung the CBA’s way, making it easier for its leadership to focus on raising the quality of its core product: the league. Chen Yaolin finds out more.
Masa Takaya on Tokyo 2020’s messages of resilience, recovery and hope
In the first of a trio of interviews with the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Kevin McCullagh speaks to Masa Takaya, spokesperson and communications team leader, about what Tokyo 2020 wants to say to the world and how his team is delivering the message.
东京放弃举办奥运马拉松项目，高尔夫项目恐也遭波及
在明年东京奥运会的马拉松项目确认将转移到札幌举办之后，东京政府在与国际奥委会的位置争议中正式宣告落败。
印度足协与德国足协签署谅解备忘录
星期五全印度足球协会与德国足协签署了一份谅解备忘录，内容包括在印度联合发展足球工作。
Shanghai to host 2020 League of Legends World Championship
Esports showpiece the League of Legends World Championship will return to China next year, with Shanghai Stadium named as host
Over 1m Tokyo 2020 tickets on sale in final domestic lottery
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics organising committee has announced its second, and last, lottery to sell tickets to Japanese residents, amid reports of high demand.
Tencent NBA stream ‘halted over Taiwan flag appearance’
A stream of an NBA game between Miami Heat and the LA Lakers by Chinese platform Tencent Sports was interrupted on Saturday because a man seated in the front row of the crowd was wearing a shirt with the…
Mzansi Super League agrees Indian media-rights deal with Sony
South African cricket competition the Mzansi Super League T20 has announced Sony Pictures Networks India as its media-rights partner in the Indian subcontinent
国际足联与东盟签署社会责任谅解备忘录
周六东南亚国家联盟与国际足联签署了一份谅解备忘录，旨在增加这一地区与足球相关的社会责任项目。
Asia’s sport climbers looking forward to going mainstream after 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Sport climbing’s 22 Asian federations are waiting for the big bucks to roll in after the sport gained Olympic recognition with a spot at the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics. SportBusiness takes a closer look at sport climbing’s sponsorship situation.
The real reason the CFA is letting the CSL fly free: money, of course
Chinese policy towards state ownership of sports leagues has performed a massive U-turn, with oversight of the Chinese Super League being passed to a private entity. SportBusiness looks at why, and what will happen next.
Thai FA president has arresting ambition for SEA leadership
Thai FA president Somyot Poompanmoung is striving to make Thailand the leading football nation in Southeast Asia
Former police chief is pushing the organisation toward greater commercial sophistication
China’s vision for sport changes under new political and economic imperatives
The Chinese State Council’s September revision of the country’s sports strategy includes changes that will be critical to note for domestic and overseas sports industry players. Sports industry academic Daniel Zhang analysed the new plan for SportBusiness.
The NBA’s burnt bridges in China won’t be mended easily
Despite NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s best efforts, the wound from Daryl Morey’s pro-Hong Kong protest tweets will have lasting repercussions on the future of basketball in China, not least among fans and sponsors. Industry insiders in China tell SportBusiness about Chinese sentiment on the ground.
Vietnam makes $475m bet to join Singapore on F1’s Southeast Asia lineup
The organisers of the upcoming Vietnam Grand Prix will spend $475m to join the F1 lineup in Southeast Asia, according to research by Formula Money. SportBusiness takes a closer look at the economics.
Lethwei, Myanmar’s best-kept secret, is preparing for the global stage
Three Burmese businessmen and a former One Championship employee are trying to bring MMA's best-kept secret to the world, with a modernised twist. SportBusiness' Callum McCarthy finds out more.
Fiba’s “Era of Asia” strategy depends on 2023 World Cup hosts stepping up
The Philippines, Indonesia and Japan have taken over from China hosting duties for the 2023 Fiba World Cup
NBA India Games 2019 expected to be ‘landmark moment for basketball in India’
Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers taking part in league's first pre-season games in country
Mumbai-born Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé played 'critical role' in making event become a reality
Esports: Invest now and monetise later
Lee Choong Kay, vice-president of sports business at Astro Malaysia, explains why organisations need to move fast and devote more time to esports.
The Rise of eFootball in China – Andrew Collins, Mailman Group
As esports have exploded in China over the past decade, eFootball, now a category itself, is undergoing a meteoric rise in the mainland.
FIS goes digital-first in fan engagement push ahead of Beijing Winter Olympics
The International Ski Federation is ramping up its global engagement efforts as it builds towards Beijing 2022, with its secretary general, Sarah Lewis, describing China as “the biggest opportunity for winter sports in the last 50 years”. Adam Nelson reports on how FIS is using its digital strategy to encourage consumers to take to the slopes.
RWC 2019: Great for Japan, but what does it mean for the rest of Asia?
The best rugby players on the planet are heading to Japan for the first Asian Rugby World Cup, but what impact will it have on the fan and player base across the continent – and the game’s commercial prospects? SportBusiness Asia editor Kelvin Tan reports.
Tokyo time for judo
The 2019 World Judo Championships in Tokyo will not only be the showcase event of the year in the sport; it will also provide a perfect launchpad for athletes, officials and fans ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games.
Ice cream and Kimekomi dolls | Developing a licensing programme for the Rugby World Cup in Japan
IMG Licensing says it has secured contracts with 25 Japanese licensees and 21 global licensees for this year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan. Ben Cronin reports.
NHL leverages Ovechkin’s pulling power to expand footprint in China
In order to develop their presence in China, the NHL have sent Alexander Ovechkin on a one-man ambassadorial trip to Beijing this week. Bob Williams talks to David Proper, executive vice-president of media and international strategy, about how ice hockey's governing body is leveraging its players' star power.
LaLiga and Bundesliga aim to make inroads on Premier League’s Asian dominance
The Premier League has long been the top international football league in Asia. As the 2019-20 season begins, SportBusiness Asia spoke to the Asian offices of Spain’s LaLiga and Germany’s Bundesliga about their work to challenge the English league’s position.
Asia at the forefront of tech-augmented mass participation runs
Asian engagement in mass participation running has increased by 169 per cent in the last five years. Kelvin Tan looks at how some of these events are now seeking differentiation through technology-led innovations, such as virtual and augmented-reality urban runs.