China Names First Water Polo Women's National Training Team

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, January 18, 2003

China Names First Water Polo Women's National Training Team

As its women's water polo national championships came to an end here on Friday, the first national training team was unveiled by the Chinese Swimming Association (CSA).

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As its women's water polo national championships came to an end here on Friday, the first national training team was unveiled by the Chinese Swimming Association (CSA).

With an average age of 16.4, the 18 team members will conduct a six-week training program in Kunming, south part of China, starting from January 26 to March when they will back for the new semester.

Xue Li, assistant director of CSA, said that "women's water polo has just been launched in China. We hope our young players make rapid improvement on techniques and competition rules."

"In March when they back to their schools, they will spread the knowledge learnt from the national training program, which is good for developing the sport," Xue said.

"However, they are not professionals and they will remain in the campuses like every other students," Xue explained.

Women's water polo made its Olympic debut in 2000 in Sydney where hosts Australia won the title, while China did not field in its team.

By 2008, the Chinese men's and women's teams will qualify for the Olympic Games in Beijing as hosts directly.

"Our goal is to enter the last eight among the 12 competing teams in 2008. It's not an unrealistic dream," Xue said.

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