Hong Kong ice hockey players have been commended for their professionalism and sportsmanship after facing violent assaults from their opponents on Sunday after defeating Turkmenistan 5-1 at the 9th Asian Winter Games.
The team faces off against Kazakhstan at 4 pm today for a spot in the top four. It previously won all three of its group matches against Macao, India, and Turkmenistan. It lost to Kyrgyzstan in the quarterfinals ranking game on Monday evening after a thrilling 5-5 tie during the three 20-minute periods, before Kyrgyzstan won with a golden goal in overtime.
Four Turkmenistan players involved in the assault and injury of their Hong Kong opponents were banned for the remaining matches in the competition by the International Ice Hockey Federation on Monday, according to the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.
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Video footage showed that during the postgame handshakes, several Turkmenistan players attacked members of the Hong Kong, China team, causing them to fall to the ground and lose their helmets.
The altercation lasted about one minute, before the referee intervened and issued misconduct-game penalties to three Turkmenistan players. Three Hong Kong players were treated for their injuries and released, with one requiring stitches for a hand injury.
The 9th Asian Winter Games are being held in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, in Northeast China. Videos online showed the victorious Hong Kong team being cheered and applauded by fans after the scuffle was stopped.
Although fighting, or so-called “willing combatants”, is allowed in some commercial ice hockey tournaments, it is prohibited in international games like the Olympics, let alone after matches.
Following the incidents, the SF&OC condemned the “deliberate attack and harm” inflicted by the Turkmenistan players and called for disciplinary action to be taken.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who is in Harbin, visited the injured players on Monday morning. He praised them for remaining calm and restrained during the incident, upholding their professionalism and sportsmanship.
Lee encouraged the athletes to maintain the best possible mental state, and a professional attitude unaffected by any circumstances, and expressed Hong Kong residents’ support for the ice hockey team.
He also directed Hong Kong’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the SF&OC to follow up on the matter, ensuring the safety of Hong Kong athletes to the fullest extent.
Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, the chef de mission of the Hong Kong, China delegation and vice-president of the SF&OC, welcomed the punishments given to the Turkmenistan players in a statement.
He expressed shock at the violence and strongly condemned the actions. “Regardless of the match result, athletes should never be subjected to violence, and this is not something a civilized society would condone,” Fok said.
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Despite the opposing team’s disrespectful and threatening actions, the Hong Kong, China team adhered to mutual respect and friendship, refraining from any retaliatory or reckless behavior, he said.
Fok encouraged all Hong Kong competitors to compete with confidence and a positive attitude, demonstrating the city’s “unyielding spirit”, and called for support from local residents.
The Harbin Games will continue through Friday. The Hong Kong, China delegation will continue taking part in the curling round-robin session, figure skating and men’s and women’s 1,000m speed skating events.
Currently, the Chinese national team leads the medal table with 21 gold, 18 silver, and 15 bronze, followed by South Korea and Japan.
