The Hong Kong Hockey Association (HKHA) was founded in 1933. The inaugural meeting was held on 22nd June 1933 when it was reported that hockey had already made tremendous strides over the past few years but needed a central body to look after the interests of the game and to seek affiliation with the English Hockey Association, which was duly achieved by 1935.

The first AGM was held on 31st July 1934 when they looked back on their first year with the President, E. W. Hamilton stating they felt fully justified in having set up the Association. At that time there were 150 teams, both men and women, with some 2,500 players.

As there were only 16 grounds (mainly military grounds) it was agreed to write to Government to ask for more. So hockey was already flourishing in Hong Kong over 70 years ago. Club de Recreio is the only surviving club from those days.

The HKHA became affiliated to the Asian Hockey Federation and the International Hockey Federation in 1950. The HKHA is also affiliated to the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.

The men's league comprised two divisions in 1950, three in 1961, four in 1981 and five in 1985. A Premier division was introduced in the Men's league in 2003-2004. In the 1953-54 season, there were 9 teams in the Men's 1st Division, 11 in the Men's 2nd Division and 10 in the Ladies' league.

In the 2003-2004 season, there were a total of 63 men's teams in six divisions and 38 women's teams in five divisions.

In the 1950's, the game was dominated by the armed forces, notably Army A. The power shifted to Recreio A in the 1960's, and Nav Bharat A in the 1970's. Shaheen became the dominant force from the late 1980's.

Hong Kong's first exposure to hockey at the highest level was in 1958 when it hosted the visit of the India and Pakistan National Teams who were on their way home after the Asian Games in Tokyo.

Capacity crowds witnessed the brilliant skills of the Indian and Pakistani players in matches played at the former Sookunpoo Army Ground. Pakistan defeated Hong Kong 7-0. The second day saw Hong Kong being overwhelmed by India by a massive 22-1. India repeated the feat the next day blanking Nav Bharat 21-0.

The local hero in the game against Pakistan undoubtedly was Slawee Kadir, the Hong Kong goalkeeper. Slawee's brilliant display between the posts kept Pakistan from scoring time and again.

Four years later, in 1962, the Hong Kong team participated in its first ever international tournament, the Asian Games in Jakarta. Hong Kong lost to India by a very respectable 0-4 and Malaysia (0-4), but caused a major upset by defeating Korea, the 1958 Asian Games Bronze medallists, by 2 goals to nil.

1964 saw Hong Kong participating in its first ever Olympics Games. Hong Kong, who were placed 2nd reserves, found themselves in Tokyo after France (replaced by Rhodesia) and Poland pulled out. That first ever hockey Olympic team included three Sikhs, Kuldip Singh, Sarinder Singh Dillon and Harnam Singh Grewal.

Hong Kong's match records at Olympic Games:

1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, click here