Asian Games medal in cricket is 'ours for the taking'
Hong Kong captain says the women's team can finish on the podium in Incheon and are a more experienced side compared with four years ago
Ishitaa Gidwani has one final goal to accomplish before she leaves for Australia to continue her studies and complete her master's degree as she pursues a career in physical education - leading Hong Kong to a medal in the women's cricket competition in Incheon.
Four years ago in Guangzhou, Gidwani was part of the squad who finished a disappointing seventh. Today, the all-rounder is at the helm and is bubbling with confidence that a top-three finish is possible in the 10-team competition played in a Twenty20 format where Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are the firm favourites.
We have come a long way in the past four years and I strongly believe we can be in medal contention
"We have come a long way in the past four years and I strongly believe we can be in medal contention," said Gidwani. "It will be huge for Hong Kong cricket if either the men's or women's team can win a medal.
"This will hopefully lead to entry into the Hong Kong Sports Institute and more funding from the government.
"Our skill levels have increased dramatically over the past four years and we are more experienced. Last time we went to the Asian Games, we were quite overwhelmed by it all but we are not newbies any more and we have played a lot of cricket since then and attitudes have changed," Gidwani added.
Winning a medal will be like reaching the promised land for the former South Island School student who will be taking part in her last big assignment for Hong Kong before she leaves on a two-year mission to get her master's degree Down Under.