After three selection stages, 12 volleyball boys will travel to Inner Mongolia next month, once again the city's best hope of a team sports medal at this year's Games.
While four of the team's younger players are currently in Shandong for the seventh China Intercity Games preliminary, the rest of the squad continue their training.
Young Post met them as they trained at Cheung Fat Sports Centre in Tsing Yi last week.
Hong Kong junior squad member Alex Wong Ka-hei, who plays the role of libero, doesn't want to miss a minute's training.
The Form Five student from PLK Tang Yuk Tien College revealed he had suffered from a stomach bug earlier this month. "I was not feeling well but I continued to train. I rushed to the washroom to vomit in the middle of the session. But I went back on the court to join my teammates after a break."
Wong Yi-shing, a setter from South Tuen Mun Government Secondary School, said he has trained with the team for more than a year but this is the first time he will represent Hong Kong.
"I have been waiting for a chance to be enlisted," said the Form Six student. "And now I've got it! Some players might have lost their passion during that period and left but I didn't. And I am glad that I conquered the pressure and frustration and stayed here."
His teammate, wing spiker Chan Ka-wai, has also gained momentum for the Games. "I missed the Schools Interport Championships last month but I played for Hong Kong in the AVC Eastern Zonal Volleyball Championships last year, so I know my teammates well. I have to play my part perfectly on court to help the team," said the talented player from Kwai Chung Methodist College.
Teacher Law Wing-fai, the leader of the boys' volleyball team, is optimistic about their chances in Bautao, Inner Mongolia. "Our team is talented and among the batch of leading teams. It depends on their condition on court. It is possible that we can reach the semi-final again, or even go a step further - if they are in good form."
The team for the Games is:
Liberos - Wong Ho-kiu (Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School), Wong Ka-hei (PLK Tang Yuk Tien College)
Setters - Hugo Chung Ka-hang (New Method College), Wong Yi-shing (South Tuen Mun Government Secondary School)
Wing spikers: Siu Cheong-hung (Wa Ying College), Chan Ka-wai (Kwai Chung Methodist College), Lam Cheuk-hin (PLK Tang Yuk Tien College), Jonathan To Sik-lok (Diocesan Boys' School)
Middle blockers: Alex Chan Chi-wai (La Salle College), Tam Cho-yau (Yan Chai Hospital No 2 Secondary School), Ivan Yau Tsz-ching (Diocesan Boys' School), Chan Chi-ho (Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School)