Foreigners help China sports

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, October 22, 2003

Foreigners help China sports

Increasing number of foreigners are seeking to give their sporting careers a kick-start by coming to coach in China, whether in football or basketball, or at national or provincial team.

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Increasing number of foreigners are seeking to give their sporting careers a kick-start by coming to coach in China, whether in football or basketball, or at national or provincial team.

Recently, South Korean Chung Hyung-kyun has been in the spotlight as he became another successful coach, leading his Chinese women's handball team to grab the only Asian qualifying ticket into 2004 Athens Olympic from his compatriots' hands in the Asian Women's Handball Championship.

The 46-year-old man, who boasts a brilliant coaching career, guiding South Korean into third place in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and took the titles of 1992 Barcelona Olympics and 1995 World Championships, is now planning to lead his Chinese team to repeat the glorious history.

"I am confident to make my team a handball power in the world. To get a ticket into Athens Olympics just means a new start. My target is to win a gold medal in 2008 Beijing Olympics."

Before Chung, Kim Chang-back has made himself well known for lifting Chinese women's field hockey team to the top of the world in 2002 and later to the title at the Busan Asian Games also after beating four-time defending champions South Korea.

They had been expected to be sunk into dilemma after both of them experienced the celebration moment, a far cry from when they led their compatriots to the Olympics and world titles.

"Of course, I am a South Korean. Furthermore, I am a professional coach. There is no doubt that I have to fulfill my duty," said Chung, nicknamed "handball Czar" by South Korean fans.

Remarkable changes and improvement can be seen after both of them took the helm of the two teams.

"At that time, Chinese team had many weak points, including teamwork, stamina and tactics." Chung said.

As veteran coaches, they brought sophisticated and advance concept of tactics and drilling methods to China. Meanwhile, they attached great importance on players's strength and stamina through intensive training, which was not well understood at the very start.

Kim was once reportedly to be sacked because his harsh training led to dissatisfaction and quarrel from his players. But after 3 years efforts, his training methods and strict on-court style has been widely recognized and understood and he himself also win support and respect from players.

It is admitted foreign coaches' training methods, and management measures did pose some challenge to traditional concepts. But their combination of scientific and tough trainings have proved true after producing excellent results in some weak events, such as handball and archery, headed by South Korean Yang Chang-hoon, who helped China win a historic recurve women's team event title at the 41st World Outdoor Target Archery Championships.

Besides, China's canoe and kayak team's unexpected four gold medals in Busan Asian Games are largely attributed to two foreign coaches.

"Their strict training, scientific management, dedication and personal charm have to bridge the cultural and language gaps, and then increase teamwork ability and cohesion. These are just what some Chinese teams lack," said Hu Jianguo, director of Xiao Qiu (small balls) Administrative Centre of State General Administration for Sports.

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