HK hope to strike gold in Croatia

Hong Kong's Li Ching (pictured) and Ko Lai-chak are determined to turn their Olympic silver medal into a world title when they compete in Zagreb, Croatia, later this month.

With 700 players from more than 140 associations having entered the five events, the world championships, to be held from May 21-27, will be the best opportunity to review the strengths of heavyweights such as China, South Korea, Japan, Germany, Belarus and Hong Kong before the Beijing Olympics.

Although Li and Ko won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Hong Kong have never won a men's doubles medal at the world championships.

'We always look for breakthroughs and it should be our best chance to win a doubles medal in Zagreb,' said Hong Kong coach Chan Kong-wah before the team's departure for Croatia yesterday.

'We have prepared well. The players are hitting top form, and if they can perform to their best, they should be able to achieve some impressive results, although no one can take things for granted in a world event.'

Hong Kong are sending six players for the men's singles, doubles and mixed doubles.