Pro-Beijing heavyweight defends ally who slammed Hong Kong shuttler over choice of black jersey at Tokyo Olympics

Local National People’s Congress Standing Committee delegate Tam Yiu-chung says Nicholas Muk has already apologised over his criticism of Angus Ng’s clothing

But former opposition district councillor Leticia Wong says Muk defenders have shown they prioritise politics over the overall benefit of Hong Kong

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Tam Yiu-chung is a member of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Published: 9:55pm, 30 Jul 2021Updated: 1:41am, 31 Jul 2021

Hong Kong’s sole delegate to the nation’s top legislative body has defended a political ally who attacked a badminton player representing the city at the Tokyo Olympic Games for wearing a black jersey, a colour widely associated with the 2019 anti-government movement.

Tam Yiu-chung, a member of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee said Nicholas Muk had already apologised over his criticism of Angus Ng Ka-long’s clothing choice and hoped not to dwell on the issue any more.

“I believe every sportsman will give their full effort when they are playing in a match and not be unaffected by other things. I have seen many successful examples like this,” he said on Friday.

Angus Ng wore black during his match against Mexico’s Lino Munoz. Photo: Reuters

Tam is a heavyweight in the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) political party, and fellow member Muk kicked up a storm last Sunday after he condemned the world’s No 9 shuttler for wearing black during his match against Mexico’s Lino Munoz.

Black became the default colour of the anti-government protests, with demonstrators choosing it for their clothes, flags and banners.