Jiang Back to Coach Chinese Basketball Team

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, April 01, 2003

Jiang Back to Coach Chinese Basketball Team - for 3rd Time

Jiang Xingquan, who led China to the men's world championship quarter-finals for the first time in 1994, is to be back at the helm of the national basketball team.

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Jiang Back to Coach Chinese Basketball Team - for 3rd Time

Jiang Xingquan, who led China to the men's world championship quarter-finals for the first time in 1994, is to be back at the helm of the national basketball team.

Jiang, who coached the national team for 1991-1996 and 1999-2000, confirmed on Sunday that he would go back to the national team for the third time.

The 62-year-old is now coaching Xinjiang Guanghui, the second-year team in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league. Jiang, known as a tough coach, led Xinjiang to the plays-off and earned the team a dark horse billing this season.

"I didn't think I would return to the national team, " Jiang said. "I am nearly 63 years old and in my age, I didn't think I amenergetic enough to coach the national team.

"But as I said before, if the team need me, I will try my best to help them."

"I think I will be just a transitional coach and I won't leave Xinjiang Guanghui," he added.

China has been without a long-term coach since the departure ofWang Fei, who resigned following his team's unexpected 102-100 loss to South Korea in the Busan Asian Games in October, 2002.

Jiang is expected to lead the team to the Asian basketball championship in August and 2004 Olympic Games qualifiers.

"I want to say it again. I won't compete for the job with thoseyoung fellows, but I am willing to help the team with my experience," added Jiang.

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