Hong Kong under-19s coach Lal Jayasinghe has told his young players to view next month's Tuanku Ja'afar tournament as a launch pad to the territory's senior sides.
Jayasinghe said he was looking for big performances from Hong Kong's leading youngsters as they bid to make it three in a row at the quadrangular tournament in Malaysia.
Captain Manoj Cheruparambil and other survivors from last year's successful campaign such as Alex French, Grayson Tyndale and Jignesh Tailor should all be looking to step up a grade to the under-24 team.
'I've told these guys that I am looking for them to lead from the front,' Jayasinghe said. 'I'd like to see them come through into the under-24 team so this tournament is a good opportunity to impress. It's a step up in standards and it is important that they come through,' he added.
Hong Kong's coaching and development team are already looking ahead to the 2001 International Cricket Council Trophy and are hoping the territory's youngsters will blossom in time for the World Cup qualifying tournament.
Under-19s captain Cheruparambil said he believed Hong Kong had every chance of adding this year's trophy.
