CBA to push reform, nurture younger players (2)

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The statement did say the association would analyze the possibility for a thorough professional reform of the league, which is currently both operated and administrated by the association.

However, whether the league season will be extended or if an owner's board will be established to run the league instead of the association, haven't been discussed, Xin said.

The public feud between CBA vice-president Hu Jiashi and national squad coach Panagiotis Giannakis, who refused to shake hands with Hu before leaving for his native Greek last week, also stirred up controversy while drawing public criticism on the association's bureaucracy.

A China Youth Daily report alleged Hu always interfered with Giannakis' tactics instruction and roster recruitment and the public urged the governing body to fire Hu.

However, Xin said the association didn't consider any personnel changes at management level nor terminating its contract with Giannakis.

"We can't say that the coach has nothing to do with the loss and his communication with the players wasn't as smooth as expected. We will talk with him later before deciding whether to keep him," said Xin.

As a traditional power in Asian basketball, China lost both group encounters against major opponents Korea and Iran before surprisingly losing to Chinese Taipei at the quarterfinals at the Manila tournament.

"We should face the reality that we are no longer the dominating force in Asia," said an official report after the briefing. "We didn't pay enough attention to the overall development of Asian basketball and didn't self-position properly. We should face our shortages directly and try to make necessary improvements."

On the possibility for the association to naturalize foreign-born players to represent China at international events, Xin said it's unrealistic.

"I actually considered it a little," he said. "Given the legal issues and China's complicated regulation on nationality changes, I don't think it's possible."

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