Hong Kong's men's basketball team are still training for the Hangzhou Asian Games even though it appears they won't see a single match, coach Chiu Wing-leung said on Friday.

The Basketball Association said it found out last week that after an apparent change in format, Hong Kong cannot play in a preliminary round for one of four tournament spots as expected, and instead all 16 places will go to the top teams in the Asian rankings.

The association said it has asked the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee to write to the organisers, the Olympic Council for Asia, for an explanation.

In any case, the team aren't giving up just yet, Chiu said, in part because they don't want to let down their supporters.

"Opportunity awaits those who are prepared. If we already think the opportunity doesn't exist and we stop training and do nothing, what if the 0.01 percent chance materialises and we get to play? Then we won't be fully prepared," he told RTHK.

"We've already prepared for this tournament for four, five years. There's no reason for us not to stick to it til the end."

Chiu said the team are in their best shape in years, with veterans like Duncan Reid and Lee Ki leading a host of energetic young players.

With Lee, 35, planning to retire from international duty after the Games, the coach said the team hope playing in Hangzhou will be a nice send-off for the sharp-shooter.

Chiu added that the Asian Games are the highest level of competition Hong Kong can get involved in at this stage, and it would be a great loss for the young players if they don't get to go.