Co-ed School Sportsboy of the Year Daniel Bailey is a member of the SAR rugby sevens squad bound for the 2002 Asian Games in South Korea. For Bailey the Games, which open in the southern port city of Busan on September 29, will be the climax of a tough three-month training stint with the 12-strong contingent.
The road to Busan began in July with training in Sai Kung and a three-day camp in South Korea.
Bailey then made the cut as the 16-man squad was whittled down to 12 prior to the Jonah Jones Sevens tournament in Malaysia.
Last week saw the squad's final warm-up for the Games at the Sri Lanka Sevens. The SAR hope to win at least a bronze medal in the event.
But their form at the Sri Lanka Sevens - three defeats and two wins on their way to the Bowl trophy - points to a tough task for the locals.
Hong Kong have been drawn in Pool A with the favourites and 1998 silver medallists Japan, China - and Taiwan, who they have never beaten.
But Bailey is optimistic and has faith in the team's ability to rise to the occasion. 'We've been very focused for three months now and I feel confident we can advance from our group,' the 18-year-old said. To do that Hong Kong must finish first or second in their group.
