Chinese Basketball Players Hoped to Be with NBADavid Stern, president of NBA, expressed his hope that Chinese basketball players join in NBA games not only during his visit on Yuan Weimin, head of the Chinese Olympic Delegation, but also in an interview granted with Chinese journalists.Stern paid a special visit on Yuan Weimin, director of Chinese General Physical Culture Administration, president of All-China Olympics Committee and head of the Chinese Olympic Delegation, at the Olympic Village September 25. Yuan and Stern talked like old friends. Yuan said he loved watching Jordan led Bull's fight, and he found Chinese basketball players moving too genteel after watching NBA games. Chinese players should have more matches with NBA team and be improved, Yuan said. Stern said he is willing to boost Chinese basketball and help Chinese players hold matches with NBA men. "But I have to announce that I am not here to 'kidnap' Yao Ming and Wang Zhizhi", Stern joked, adding that "I hope leaders of the Chinese sports department would give their approval if Chinese players are willing to join us NBA men in the future." Yuan said Chinese players will join NBA team, but it takes time. Stern granted an interview to Chinese journalists from Xinhua news agency and CCTV after his visit on Yuan. "If Chinese players improve their way of training, they will have the hope to acquire the ability to win a medal in next Olympics four years later." he expressed his view. Stern said NBA men are scheduled to have games in China in 2002 or 2003. He hopes to strengthen cooperation with Chinese sports circle and to develop and popularize basketball games. |
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