HK hoopers not going to Asian Games: SF&OC
The Sports Federation and Olympic Committee (SF&OC) on Monday said it has confirmed that Hong Kong's men's basketball team will not take part in the upcoming Asian Games. The participation of the SAR's hoopers was put into doubt when organisers changed the format to eliminate a preliminary round which would have given lower-ranked teams a chance to make it to the main draw. The committee said it had "actively pursued and mediated with" the organisers since the Basketball Association learned of the change in format, but regrettably the team will not go to Hangzhou now. "While headquarters staff of SF&OC arrived in Hangzhou [on Sunday] to make preparations for the Hong Kong, China Delegation, we immediately liaised with relevant officials and were confirmed by the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee that the Hong Kong, China Men's Basketball Team was not qualified for competing in the 5×5 basketball event," it said in a statement. The body said it regretted the result after "utmost effort" was spent to secure qualification.