Hosts opt for might of China

HONG KONG'S girls' basketball team were unanimous in their decision - India, Singapore and Sri Lanka would do fine.

As hosts of next month's Asian Schools Championship, Hong Kong were free to choose which of the two five-team preliminary groups they would compete in.

And when team manager Ma Ning-hei consulted the 12-strong squad at yesterday's draw, he was greeted by screams of ''Bee''.

Group B is headed by the powerful Chinese team, the mainland's All Schools champions.

But Ma is confident of the territory's chances of finishing in the top two of their group and qualifying for the semi-finals.

South Korea heads Group A, which also includes Indonesia, Thailand, Macau and Malaysia.