Hong Kong Balloon League brings viral sport sensation to the city
- Balloon World Cup took place in Spain last month, with backing of Barcelona footballer Gerard Pique
- ‘It does not require expensive equipment or finding a training venue for competitions,’ says organiser
Fresh off the viral success of the Balloon World Cup Finals, the nascent sport is coming to Hong Kong this month.
The Hong Kong Balloon League was officially launched this week with an opening ceremony at the Pulse Mall in Repulse Bay on Tuesday, ahead of tournaments.
Its aim is to “continue the Olympic boom and promote the participation of all people in sports,” organisers said.
The Hong Kong Balloon League will be co-organised by the Newly Emerged Sports Association of Hong Kong China (NESA) and the Hong Kong Youth Federation, with the lauch also backed by Emperor Group.
“I noticed that the first Balloon World Cup was just held in Spain last month. Inspired by it, I hope to make it suitable for all ages,” said Yang Zhenglong, the Executive Director of Emperor International.
Peru won that first tournament Cup in October, beating Germany in the final in Spain after 32 teams had entered the fray. The World Cup came about with the backing of Barcelona and Spain footballer Gerard Pique, who has financed several other sporting events, and Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos.
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“It‘s been amazing, it’s something totally different, sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone and try new things,” said Pique, who won the Fifa World Cup with Spain in 2010, after the final.
The sport has come a long way in a short time.
It began as a viral video on Tiktok of the Keep-Up Balloon League between three siblings in the US – Antonio, Diego and Isabel Arredondo.
Now it has made its way to Hong Kong with the same format as the recent World Cup – an eight metre by eight metre court, strewn with household furniture.
The rules are simple. Players have to hit the balloon once and it must go upwards. A point is won when the balloon touches the floor. It is also cheap, organisers noted.
“This emerging sport has a simple and straightforward way of playing,” said NESA founder Kennedy Lai Kong-ip. “It does not require expensive equipment or finding a training venue for competitions. Even a grass roots family can easily afford to play.”
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For those who scoff at such sports, the Hong Kong organisers pointed out that skateboarding made its Olympics debut this summer in Tokyo, while breakdancing will be on the programme in Paris in three years.
One of the players at the launch event was Karen Tam Hoi-lam, the 2018 Asian Games bronze medal winning swimmer. Tam said it was not easy but she enjoyed it nonetheless.
“It’s the first time today to try the emerging sport of balloon competition. It takes just a few minutes to compete. A certain amount of exercise and skills are not as easy as it seems, and adults can enjoy it,” she said.
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There are plans to have balloon leagues for primary and secondary schools, as well as other youth groups, organisers said.
The Hong Kong Emerging Sports Association was founded in 2018 and has partnered with a number of schools and social welfare organisations to run events.
