China basketball star center Yao Ming believes China Basketball
Association (CBA)'s decision to cut the league matches in order to
give more time to the national team's preparation for 2008 Beijing
Olympics may undermine the sport's grass root development.
"We will pay for that. It is like killing the hen to get the
eggs," said the Houston Rockets superstar.
Official from CBA announced last week that China's basketball
super league will cancel 100 games in the upcoming season to give
its national team more time to train and complete overseas.
The Yao Ming-led Chinese squad finished with a modest 11th place
at the World Championships, which wrapped up in Japan last month.
CBA officials said the reduced number of games is a response to the
decision of the General Administration of Sports.
But Yao saw the format change from a different point of
view.
"The lack of matches will effect the passion of players and
coaches. CBA is the best stage for local players to show
themselves.
"The change is a setback for the 11-year-old league, which has
made rapid improvement over the past two seasons. CBA has
established a good image among the fans. I think many of them will
be disappointed."
Yao also singled out the importance of sponsorship to a sport's
long-time development.
"When a league is not well protected by long and stable rules,
the sponsors will be at a loss as how to get the gain from their
investment.
"It is for sure that their interests have suffered a blow. A
league can not progress smoothly without sponsors'
involvement."
According to the cut plan, the national team will have 28 more
days for resembled training.
But extra training takes place in April when the leagues in
Europe and NBA are in full swing..
"I do not think we will be able to find strong opponents at that
time. The quality is more important than quantity," Yao added. "So
the 28-plus days will have little meaning if we can not compete
with strong teams from Europe and America."
Apart from basketball, the decisions to cut leagues of
volleyball and table tennis have also been reached at the end of
last month.
While the struggling China Super League is also likely to join
in the controversial sacrifice project for the 2008 Olympics on
home soil.
Birthday boy
Yao is celebrating his 26-year-old birthday today but has had
his eyes on the upcoming new NBA season.
"We have new faces in the team. And I hope we are able to
advance into the third round of playoffs.
"We have been at the first round but did not make it last
season.
"I am 26-year-old. There is no excuse to say I am still growing
up. It is time to have good results," said Yao, who will set off in
early next month.
The Shanghai-born center has established himself as one of the
dominant forces at the World Championships, by averaging 25.3
points but is determined to contribute more for Houston
Rockets.
"As a dominant center, you need to lead your team to victories
and win NBA championships. Shaq O'Neal has achieved the goal, but I
have not yet."
(China Daily?September 12, 2006)