After becoming the first world No.1 to play in Korea and the first to win the Ballantine’s Championship, Lee Westwood would like to be the first player to retain the trophy.

“Yes, I’d like to come back,” confirmed Westwood after his dramatic victory at Blackstone Golf Club near Seoul on Sunday. “I always try to defend a tournament.”

The English star triumphed by one shot over Spanish veteran Miguel Ángel Jiménez to underline his status as the world’s best player.

He is the first world No.1 to win the Ballantine’s Championship after victories by Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell in 2008, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee in 2009 and Marcus Fraser of Australia 12 months ago.

And he had a special word of praise for the Korean galleries who turned out in large numbers to cheer on the players.

“The fans were great, very supportive, and it just shows the keenness of the Korean public to come out and watch the players they’ve seen on TV playing in other parts of the world,” said Westwood.

Sunday marked the day the €2.2 million Ballantine’s Championship came of age.

After the first three editions of the tournament were played on the Korean holiday island of Jeju, organisers moved the event to just outside Seoul and were rewarded with large galleries and a duel between the world No.1 and one of golf’s great characters.

It ended when Jiménez’s 14-foot birdie putt at the last slid past the hole, leaving Westwood the winner by a single shot. It was his second victory in a row following his success in the previous week’s Indonesian Masters.

Also “leaving an impression” on the 2011 tournament were Korean challenger Park Sang Hyun, who delighted the home fans with an eagle at the last to finish third, and American star Dustin Johnson – making his competitive debut in Asia – who was fourth.

“The 2011 Ballantine’s Championship has been a huge success for us and on behalf of everyone at Ballantine’s I’d like to congratulate world No.1 Lee Westwood for his truly impressive win,” said Christian Porta, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, owner of Ballantine’s.

“The stunning course proved an exciting challenge for our strongest field yet and Lee mastered it beautifully.

“The exceptionally high level of competition between the world’s best players and Korean’s rising stars was testament to the way in which our tournament has gone from strength to strength. Our aim was to step up a level in our fourth year and we certainly achieved this at Blackstone Golf Club.

“Ballantine’s is proud of its golf heritage and continues to be committed to international golf in the long-term. We look forward to staging Korea’s premier golf event again next year.”

World No.1 Lee Westwood hits a drive in front of a stand packed with Korean golf fans on his way to victory in the 2011 Ballantine’s Championship. (Pic: Paul Lakatos/Parallel Media Group)

Hong Kong soccer fans will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet the legendary Pelé (real name Edison “Edson” Arantes do Nascimento) when he arrives in town this weekend on a goodwill visit as part of the 2011 New York Cosmos Asia Tour.

Pele played for the legendary New York Cosmos from 1975-77 and took the club to worldwide success, transforming the soccer landscape in America in a way that is still remembered by fans today – all over the globe.

The Brazilian icon – widely recognised as the game’s all-time greatest player – will be overseeing a coaching clinic for kids, giving inspirational talks and meeting business leaders as Honorary President of the newly revived New York Cosmos.

In his role with the Cosmos, he will help re-establish the club and carry on its tradition of greatness for the next generation of young athletes as well as help the Cosmos prepare for their return as a professional team.

“I know Hong Kong fans are hugely interested in soccer and I’m looking forward to meeting them and sharing their passion for the beautiful game,” said the three-time World Cup winner.

“I’m especially relishing the chance to work with aspiring young players and hopefully pass on some knowledge about what it takes to achieve your goals, whether in soccer or in life.”

Pelé, together with senior New York Cosmos executives Paul Kemsley (Chairman) and Terry Byrne (Vice Chairman), will arrive in Hong Kong on Sunday (6 March) for three nights after first stopping in Singapore.

A highlight of his visit will come on Tuesday when he addresses a VIP lunch organised by the American Chamber of Commerce at the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel in Wanchai.

Pelé will share the rebirth and rebuilding of the Cosmos with an exclusive audience of business leaders and media, while also discussing the impact of sports on education and philanthropy.

He will then visit Hong Kong Football Club to motivate and inspire young players involved in soccer across the local and expatriate community – in addition to meeting the HKFC Crusaders, a programme for players with special needs that is backed by Prudential.

After his final career match on 1 October 1977, in a speech given to more than 75,000 fans, Pele urged his audience to pay attention to the youth of the world. Today, as global ambassador for the game, he reinforces that message to fans and kids during his Hong Kong visit.

The 2011 New York Cosmos Asia Tour is aimed at spreading goodwill through sport, developing young talent and building global partnerships.

“We are seeing in both Singapore and Hong Kong a significant commitment by organisations and individuals of many levels to develop young talent and the future of the sport,” said Kemsley. “This is very complementary to the mission of the New York Cosmos.

“We are excited to visit Asia to meet fans, players, partners, leaders and dignitaries – and to let everyone know that the New York Cosmos are back. We will continue to integrate Asia in all that we do, and look forward to returning to the region in the very near future.”

In addition to Pele, the New York Cosmos have also appointed Manchester United Player of the Century Eric Cantona as Director of Soccer and US soccer legend Cobi Jones as Associate Director of Soccer and Ambassador.

Currently the club operates a Cosmos Academy in both New York and Los Angeles featuring the US’s elite youth talent, it owns the CosmosCopa grassroots tournament that is entering its third year, and will be hosting a 40th Anniversary Celebration Match this summer featuring players from around the world invited by Pele to participate in an all-star competition.

The club’s ultimate vision is to field a professional team at the highest level in the United States, bringing championships back to New York City.

Hong Kong suffered a nightmare start to their ICC World Cricket League (Division 3) campaign when they went down to Oman and the USA in their first two matches.

In the tournament opener against the USA on Saturday, the hosts were defeated by a whopping 7 wickets at the small Kowloon Cricket Club oval. A day later they suffered the same fate, at the same venue, but this time to Oman by 3 wickets. 

However, the tournament hosts can still rescue their dreams of promotion to Division 2 of the World Cricket League when they meet Denmark (Tuesday 25 January) and Italy (Wednesday 26 January) at the Mission Road oval.  Their final match will be against Papua New Guinea/PNG (Friday 28 January) at the Hong Kong Cricket Club.

ICC media manager Lucy Benjamin introduces the skippers at a media event last week (Pic: ICC)

Promotion or demotion

The two finalists in the competition will be promoted to the ICC WCL Division 2 and will play in the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 tournament to be played in UAE during 8-15April 2011. The 3rd and 4th placed teams will stay in WCL Division 3 while the 5th and 6th placed teams will be demoted to WCL Divsion 4. 

Hong Kong’s Irfan Ahmed (centre) celebrates in their match vs. Oman (Pic: ICC) 

Here are some more images from the WCL tournament:

Cricketers from UK, Australia, Shanghai, Thailand and Hong Kong will be enjoying the camaraderie and competition of the 9th annual Hong Kong Cricket Festival this weekend (3-5th December) at Hong Kong’s newest cricket venue, Kai Tak Cricket Ground, site of the famous former airport.

The award winning Festival, part of the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour and hosted by Lamma Cricket Club, gets underway on Friday 3rd December at 1.30pm with a Twenty20 match featuring players from Shanghai Dragons & Pirates versus a combined Honourable Horse Artillery / CBB side in what promises to be an entertaining match up.

The sixes part of the cricket Festival will be played all day Saturday and Sunday from 9.30am to 5pm.

Spectators and supporters, possibly feeling Ashes fever, are very welcome to come down to the picturesque ground in Kowloon City and enjoy the atmosphere.

For further information see the tournament website at www.hkcricketfestival.com

Here’s a teaser from last year’s Private Capital Cricket Festival:

While some of the world’s top golfers were dueling at the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open in Sheung Shui yesterday, the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club hosted their Zoke Around the Island race.

Hong Kong’s largest and most inclusive sailing event got underway in the morning, featuring a packed start line of over 200 boats, a record 15 Outrigger Canoes and one Offshore Rowing Boat.

The sailboat fleet featured all types of sailing boats, with the largest classes being the 29 IRC Cruisers, 45 HKPN Cruisers and 17 Hobie 16’s, with a notable fleet of 14 Impala heading the list of one-design keelboats.

Mr Lui Rui Jin, Chairman of ZOKE, fired the 0825hrs warning signal to get the start sequences underway on both inner and outer start lines, with start sequences culminating with the F18 fleet at 0950hrs.

The sight of over 200 sailboats heading East to Lei Yue Mun never fails to impress, even in a slight haze, however the paddlers mounted an impressive display to reach the Convention Centre in Victoria Harbour by the time the boats had disappeared to the East.

The RHKYC’s Around the Island Race (Pic: ZOKE / Fragrant Harbour)

In the Mixed Division, Hong Kong Outrigger Canoe Club (HKOCC) won in 4hrs 08m 45s, while in the Women’s Division, Hong Kong Island Paddling Club (HKIPC) took the title in 4 hrs 30m 23s. The blue riband event saw the Men’s trophy lifted by HKIPC ‘A’ crew in 3hrs 44m 40s.

Meanwhile, back on the race track, Race Officer Jimmy Farquhar was making a considered decision to shorten the course at Green Island , to spare boats the pain of landing in several holes in the area of Western. This proved to be an astute decision, as the breeze fluctuated between 0 – 6 knots all afternoon in the area between Cyberport and Sheung Wan.

There was a close-run finish on the water, with Mark Thornburrow taking the line honours gun in 3h 42m 32s with his F18 Hobie Tiger, just ahead of the Isler/Taylor owned Mills 41 ‘Ambush’, who took monohull line honours.

It was definitely a day to suit the Dinghies, with the Flying Fifteens taking the first four places on corrected time, ahead of 470, Ruffian and Etchells. Provisional results show that at the poolside Prizegiving tomorrow night (Monday) the La Cigale Trophy for the overall winner will be lifted by David Chow, with Hillary King receiving the Lady Godiva Trophy for first lady helm.

Top 5 on Elapsed Time [Provisional Results]

(Class, Sail Number, Boat Name, Skipper) 

 F18 2225 — (Mark Thornburrow)

 Cruiser HKG2208 Ambush (Joachim Isler/Drew Taylor)

 SBR HKG028 Fly By Wire (Frank Van Kempen)

 F18 1891 I Am No Angel (JC Broyelle)

 SBR ’064 Merlin (Steve Bourne)

Top 10  on corrected time [Provisional Results]

(Class, Sail Number, Boat Name, Skipper) 

 FF15 HKG3701 Puff ‘N Stuff (David Chow)

 FF15 HKG3830 Squiffy (Howard Williams)

 FF15 HKG3500 Fatal Attraction (Tom Sheppard)

 FF15 HKG3722 Noisy Forefather (Sam Chan)

 470 HKG88 Little Dragon (Mike Halkes)

 Ruffian HKG515 Victory 9 (Li Fook Hing)

 Etchells GBR1333 Swedish Blue (Ante Razmilovic)

 J/80 HKG2235 J Chi (Jonny Hodgson)

Dragon HKG46 Davinloong (Lowell Chang)

 FF15 HKG3882 — (Jin Ogawa)

The RHKYC’s Around the Island Race (Pic: ZOKE / Fragrant Harbour)

One of the pleasures of watching the action at the Karp Group/PC Jeweller Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is seeing the ball fly over the stands and into the adjacent roads, the roof of the club-house or even the Kowloon Cricket Club pool.  The likelihood of that happening several times over has increased with news that the Australian side has drafted the big-hitting David Warner (pictured right) to their squad.

Left-handed dynamo Warner has been called up to replace the injured Daniel Christian and will be a powerful addition to the team bidding to win its first Hong Kong title.

Warner, 23, made history when he was picked to represent Australia in 2008 in a Twenty20 game against South Africa despite not having played a single game of first-class cricket. He was the first player to do so in 132 years. He made a stunning debut and went on to represent Australia at the Twenty20 World .

“We are delighted he is coming,” said Dinesh Tandon, Hong Kong Cricket Association chairman. “He is one of the biggest hitters in the game and fans will be well entertained.”

Warner is not a stranger to Hong Kong having played in this tournament two years ago when Australia reached the final, only to lose to England in a tied game. England won by virtue of losing fewer wickets.

With Warner back in the team, Australia will be a force to reckon with but fans will also have to watch out for young guns Ryan Carters (20 years), Tom Cooper (23) and Glenn Maxwell (21) to produce the fireworks with all three having played in the recent Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa.

In addition, 20-year-old Tim Armstrong was a member of the victorious Australian Under-19 World Cup squad earlier this year.

The team will be coached once again by former international player John Davison who is also senior coach with Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence.

“It’s an enjoyable tournament to be involved with and something a little different for the players which I’m sure they will enjoy,” said Davison, who is also the CA Centre of Excellence spin bowling coach.

“Although we have a pretty young squad we have some players with good experience including some with international experience or exposure so I’m sure that will hold them in good stead.

“The tournament is short and sweet but it’s a challenging format that most players have probably not played before so it should be good fun for them,” Davison added.

Australia are pooled in the preliminary Bradman group with arch-rivals England, South Africa and Hong Kong. The Sobers pool comprises India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

A total prize money of US$150,000 is up for grabs and Australia will be hoping to winits first title. They came close two years ago when they were defeated by England in a thriller where the scores were tied at the end, and England edging through by virtue of losing fewer wickets.

The Australian side for the tournament is:

Tim Armstrong (New South Wales), Ryan Carters (Victoria), David Warner (New South Wales), Tom Cooper (South Australia), Matthew Johnston (Western Australia), Glenn Maxwell (Victoria), Will Sheridan (Victoria).

“Vinnige” Fanie De Villiers’ visit to Hong Kong this weekend will coincide with the 2010-edition of the Karp Group/PC Jeweller Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.  South Africa is of course the defending champions after a nail-bite finish against hosts Hong Kong in the Final last year.

The Southern African Association of Hong Kong will be hosting Fanie at a South African Braai (BBQ) at the Sportsman’s Bar at the Hong Kong Cricket Club in 137 Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, this Saturday.

Fanie played in 256 tests from 1993 to 1998 and 23 ODI’s from 1992 to 1997. Since retiring from Test Cricket, the former fast bowler has become a television commentator and also works as a motivational speaker.

South African cricket legend, Fanie De Villiers will be in Hong Kong this weekend.

The South African Sixes Team (read more about the 2010 team here) has been invited to join the braai after the first day’s play.

HK$250 gets you a great South African meal (Menu below), 2 hours of beer, wine and sodas as well as the company of some of our country’s great sportsmen, retired and up-and-coming.

Bruce Fowler has written tosay that the menu for the evening will consist of:

Braai

Selection of Boerewors on the Braai

Chicken Peri Peri Skewers on the Braai

Prawn and Vegetable Malay Curry

Braai Marinated Rib Eye Steaks

Bobotie (Lamb and Apricot Jam)

Yellow Fried Rice with Raisins

Pan Roasted Sweet Potato

Pita Bread served with Humus

Salad

Green Bean Salad with Olives, Sweet Onions

Tomato Salad with Green Chillies and Red Wine Vinegar

Yellow Melon Muscadel (Melon Salad)

Dessert

Malva Pudding

The evening starts at 7:00pm for 7:30pm and, as this is at the Hong Kong Cricket Club (HKCC) dress is smart casual. However, since many guests may come straight from the Sixes, the Club will make an exception and does not expect you to be smart casual after a day watching the Sixes.

Children are welcomed so please bring your family and friends. Reservations can be made by e-mailing Bruce Fowler (bfowler@pacific.net.hk) and letting him know how many of you will be attending.  Please respond as soon as possible if you wish to attend as the number of seats is limited.

Here are some images from last year’s tournament to get you in the mood:

Hong Kong will hope to go one better at The Karp Group/PC Jeweller Hong Kong Cricket Sixes next month, and will be back with five of the players who stunned the world by reaching the Cup finals before losing to South Africa on the final ball of the 2009 tournament.

Najeeb Amar will spearhead a team bristling with familiar faces for the November 6-7 tournament which is also presented by sponsors Unirich at the Kowloon Cricket Club.

Along with left-arm spinner Najeeb, the others who made Hong Kong proud 12 months ago and will be returning are Munir Dar, Irfan Ahmed, Tanvir Afzaal and Hussain Butt. The two new faces in the squad are left-handed batsman Peter Wooden and teenage medium-pacer Aizaz Khan.

“We came close last year before losing on the final delivery. We hope to make amends and go all the way,” said Najeeb a veteran of nine Hong Kong Sixes campaigns.

Hong Kong hearts were crushed last year when South Africa, needing five runs from the last ball in a gripping Cup final, won with Farhaan Behardien hitting a six.

“It is going to be harder this time for everyone will know that we not pushovers any more,” Najeeb said. “But we have a good side once again and I’m confident we can do well once more.”

There will be added pressure on Hong Kong to perform this year, with the fans benefiting from a deal by official carrier Jet Airways, whereby if Hong Kong wins the Cup or reaches the final, ticketholders will be eligible for massively discounted flights ob both economy and business classes to Mumbai, New Delhi, Colombo and Johannesburg.

All-rounder Wooden, who has made a mark for KCC this season with his powerful batting and left-arm spinners is expected to strengthen the side while the other debutant, 17-year-old Khan has been picking up wickets regularlry for his club Pakistan Association in the local leagues.

“They are both good additions to the team and will strengthen the team while the rest have all played a number of times and they know what is needed,” Najeeb said.

While every player can make weighty contributions with the bat, Hong Kong will have a good mix in the bowling department with Najeeb, Dar and Wooden all handy left-arm spinners while the pace department will be led by Irfan, Afzaal and Khan. Hussain Butt will be the designated wicket-keeper.

“We have a good blend of experience and raw talent and there is a good mix of all-rounders. Our aim is to improve on last year’s performance,” Najeeb added.

HK Sixes skipper Najeeb Amar (Pic: CricInfo)

The tournament got an added boost with Unirich returning as a sponsor. “We are glad to be associated once again with the Hong Kong Sixes,” said Sohan Goenka, managing director, Unirich Group.

Meanwhile Roy Lamsam will lead a Hong Kong development squad in the exhibition match against China’s Asian Games-bound on the Sunday of the tournament.

Hong Kong Sixes Squad:

Najeeb Amar, Munir Dar, Irfan Ahmed, Tanvir Afzaal, Peter Wooden, Hussain Butt, Aizaz Khan.

Hong Kong Development squad:

Roy Lamsam (c), Li Kai-ming, Chan Ka-ming, Siegfried Wai, Nizakat Khan, Asif Khan, Jason Lui

Hong Kong are pooled with England, Australia and defending champions South Africa in the preliminary Bradman Group while the other pool, the Sobers Group comprises, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

Despite news that tropical storm Fanapi may affect the Hong Kong weather, the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club’s first race of the Autumn sailing season kicked off in Victoria Harbour yesterday.

The Club’s Autumn opener  is traditionally held in September, a month when it is impossible to predict if the event will enjoy the north east monsoon of autumn, or the tail end of the summer south westerlies. It is not unknown for the entire Regatta to be scuppered by a passing typhoon.

However, Race Officer Inge Strompf-Jepsen on Day 1 took a glass-half-full view of the available breeze for Race 1, getting the 110 starters in 11 classes underway in 35 degree heat, 5 knots of Westerly breeze and blazing sunshine, with all the fleets selecting Course 71, which kept the fleets in sight of the Club for the afternoon.

After light winds on Day 1, Day 2 delivered on the promised lift in breeze, with an 8-10 knot westerly blowing for the start of Race 2.

Race Officer Inge Strompf-Jepsen once again gave the bar crowd a treat, sending the fleets away from a Club start on a course using the western end of the race area. While the short course suited most of the fleets, Jelik 3 was left hanging around waiting for Race 3 for longer than she was racing, however this did not seem to dampen her spirits.

The Sunday turnout of 90 boats enjoyed up to 16 knots for their final race, taking in the eastern end of the race area. After a weekend of varied conditions (and varied sailing) just one protest was taken to the room before a lively Prizegiving was hosted on RHKYC Main Lawn.

Star Ferries steams past Hung Hom as Victoria Harbour fills with sails (Pic: Mike Jansen)

The house full sign went up at Hong Kong’s Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) as South Africans came together to celebrate the start of the 2010 Football World Cup.

The evening however, was also more than that.  It was also an opportunity to celebrate our South African-ness, all the while paying homage to the fact that our country is able to deliver the world’s biggest sporting event. The evening was organised by the South African Consulate as a central venue to watch the Opening Ceremony from one of the country’s biggest, purpose-built venues: Johannesburg’s Soccer City. 

More about the evening later.  Here are some pics: