Taiwanese cheerleaders the Rakuten Girls return to dazzle fans at Hong Kong basketball clash

Fresh from performing for football fans in the Hong Kong Premier League at the end of last season, Taiwanese cheerleading squad the Rakuten Girls will return to the city – this time on the basketball court.

The Rakuten Girls will bring a group of 12, headed by its deputy captain, to dazzle fans at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai for the Hong Kong Bulls’ National Basketball League of China opener against visitors Guangxhi Rhinos on July 2.

“Cheerleading is very popular at sporting events in Taiwan and we hope the presence of the Rakuten Girls here in Hong Kong can bring a brand new experience to the home fans,” a Hong Kong Bulls statement said.

The cheerleaders were invited by Premier League side Resources Capital for their final match of the season against HK U23 at Tsing Yi Sports Ground last month.

All available tickets for the 1,500-seat venue were snapped up soon after going on sale. Southorn Stadium has a capacity of 2,000 seats, with the Bulls to play all 11 of their homes matches at the compact indoor arena in July and August.

Tickets for the season opener, costing between HK$80 and HK$1,500 with concessions at HK$50, are available at Cityline.

The second-tier NBL will return to a home-and-away basis for the new season after mainland China’s strict Covid-19 restrictions were eased this year.

Hong Kong men’s team representative Leung Shiu-wah, who joined the Bulls during the off season last year, said one of the biggest challenges would be travelling for away games amid a hectic schedule.

“Playing home and away is going to be a challenge,” Leung, who primarily plays as a shooting guard or a small forward, said.

“But I am looking forward to it at the same time, hopefully, I can get used to it as soon as the season starts.”

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