The 2000 Vinda China National Volleyball League is going to start on January 8, 2000, China Daily reported on December 7.

After both the Chinese women's and men's unsatisfactory performances in the World Cup in Japan last month, the audience is not expected to be as big as last year's.

But the Chinese volleyball teams are still confident the league will be a success, especially with the help of China Central TV, which will show most of the top matches live.

The Chinese national women's team, hoping to finish within the top three for an automatic Olympic berth, ended fifth. The men's team, targeting for a place in top eight in the 12-team competition, finished next to the bottom.

Still, the number of participating teams has increased from last year's eight men's and eight women's teams to 12 teams each.

A total of 352 matches will be played with an expected TV audience of 3 billion.

The league, organized by the Chinese Volleyball Association and sponsored by the Guangdong Vinda Paper Co Ltd, ends on April 16, 2000.