Budding pilot Mark Goosen will hope to fly high at the World Cup Sevens in Dubai after Cathay Pacific agreed to delay his training course so he could live out his dream.
InProjects Kowloon forward Goosen had given up hopes of playing at the World Cup after pulling out of a crucial training trip to New Zealand this month due to his training commitments as a pilot.
'Mark was due to fly to Adelaide to start his pilot's training course on the same day the squad was to leave for Dubai. Fortunately, the airline was most supportive and accommodating and have released Mark to represent Hong Kong,' said Ivan Torpey, Hong Kong Rugby Football Union's head of performance, yesterday.
Goosen, who played at the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens last year, was named in the 12-strong squad announced yesterday to take part in the March 5-7 World Cup.
'Mark's physicality and robustness will add something extra to the team. We are very grateful to Cathay Pacific for giving him the leeway,' Torpey added.
The sevens squad, which on Monday won the best team prize at the Sports Stars Awards, will be captained by Andrew Chambers, with Mark Wright as his deputy.