Tokyo 2020 Olympics beckon in do-or-die tournament for women’s rugby sevens – ‘You either have it, or you don’t’

Hong Kong’s women have the chance of a lifetime in a one-off tournament in Guangzhou with an Olympic berth on the line

Captain Melody Li says the goal is to go in believing they can win it all and head to Tokyo next summer

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Hong Kong women's rugby sevens team captain Melody Li Nim-yan and potential teammate Chloe Chan. Photo: Edmond So

Published: 9:00am, 31 Oct 2019Updated: 9:58pm, 3 Nov 2019

Melody Li Nim-yan has played in some big tournaments.

The Hong Kong women’s rugby sevens captain has run out on to the field amid deafening cheers at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and travelled to many countries and dealt with various climates, conditions and opponents.

But next weekend in Guangzhou, amid little fanfare, the Hong Kong women’s sevens programme faces arguably its biggest tournament ever at the University Town Sports Centre Stadium from November 9-10. The winner will take home a remarkable prize, one of 10 spots at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Hong Kong will line up with seven other teams in China, playing five games. Li, who took over the captain’s role for the squad earlier this year, said the plan is simple: come in firing on all cylinders right from the first match.

Hong Kong’s women’s team have a chance to qualify for the Olympics next weekend in China in a one-off tournament. Photo: Asia Rugby

“I think it’s having everyone believing that they can do it,” said the 26-year-old. “Because what’s different from previous tournaments, it’s a one off. You either have it or you don’t.”