South African Coach Predicts Success for Beijing Olympics

South African soccer coach Sudesh Singh said Saturday in Beijing that the Beijing Olympics would be a very good Games.

Beijing was elected the host city for the 2008 Olympic Games at the International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s 112th Session on July 13.

"They can do a good job in 2008," said Singh, who is here to coach the South African women's squad at the soccer competitions of the upcoming Universiade, after the first training class for the team that arrived here on Wednesday. "It will be a very, very good Games."

He also used the word "definitely" to further express his confidence in Beijing.

"It is the first time that Beijing is hosting an Universiade and they've done a very good job," said the South African who was assistant coach at the country's senior national team for women and the Olympic squad for men. "There are very nice facilities and rooms, everything is very efficient and the volunteers are very helpful."

Singh said Beijing is a very nice city and he had already paid a visit to Dongdan Street and Wangfujing Street, which are both packed of dazzling shopping centers.

"It's terrific," he said.

Singh did not forget to remind Beijing what she should improve on before the year of 2008.

"I would like to find a bar to drink in the Athletes' Village but could not find it," he said. "You know, many coaches and athletes would like to have a beer at some time."

But then he said he understood it and described the Universiade "as a practice" for the Olympics. In his opinion, the Olympics are still seven years away and Beijing can do a lot of things in that period of time.

Before the end of the interview, Singh praised the unity of the Chinese people to host the Universiade.

"I think that there are something we should learn from the Chinese people who are united to work together and build the country."

The men's and women's soccer competitions kick off on Tuesday, one day before the opening ceremony of the 21st Universiade.






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