A big year on the international calendar for local rugby will get under way next month when Hong Kong attempt to win the solitary qualifying berth for the 2006 Asian Games in Doha.
The Asian Games sevens squad will take on Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Singapore in a four-team, one-day tournament at the Hong Kong Football Club on February 4 with the winners qualifying for Doha.
'We go into the competition hopeful of doing well. We have recently had the experience of playing against Kazakhstan and Malaysia, and the players have been working hard on their fitness,' Hong Kong head coach Ivan Torpey (pictured) said.
The four teams will play a round-robin competition after which the top two teams will meet in a final to decide who qualifies for the Asian Games in December.
With room only for eight teams to take part in Doha, Hong Kong have been forced to take the hard route. Six countries earned automatic entry - defending Asian Games gold medallists Korea, silver medallists Taiwan and bronze medallists Thailand. Japan, Sri Lanka and China were also picked on past results. With hosts Qatar also qualifying automatically, only one berth remains to be filled.
Hong Kong will likely find it hard to qualify. During last September's Sri Lankan Sevens, the SAR were narrowly beaten 19-17 by Kazakhstan. Singapore will also be tough customers while Malaysia can be tricky too.