IN BRIEF (Page 22)
Cricket
National women's tourney wraps up in Beijing
Shenyang Institute of Physical Education took the title at the National Women's Cricket Tournament after winning all three matches in the final round of the four-team round-robin competition at the weekend in Beijing.
Shenzhen University and Tongji University came second and third respectively.
The sport is still at an early stage of development in China but has showed rapid progress in the past two years.
This year's tournament attracted 19 teams while the number was only six at last year's inaugural competition.
"We began to promote the sport in 2005 and so far there have been more than 100 schools involved in the sport," said Liang Guanghua, director of Business Cooperation Committee of the Chinese Cricket Association.
Liang said the first national women's cricket team will be set up in the shortly after selecting the best players from the top four teams.
Basketball
Official beer to improve China's basketball
Guangzhou Zhujiang Beer Group signed with the Chinese Basketball Association to become the official beer sponsor of Team China Basketball.
Hu Jiashi, vice director of China Basketball Administration Center said: "As Team China shoulders hopes for a better show during the Beijing Olympic Games, the Zhujiang Beer support was what we needed for both the men's and women's national teams.
"Besides the corporate financial support, we also need spiritual support from the fans as the men's team is preparing for the four-national tournament in June and the Stankovic Cup in July," Hu added.
Hu also disclosed that the new namelist of the men's team will come out in the next two days after three matches. The three matches pitted Team A led by head Lithuanian coach Jonas Kazlauskas against Team B led by assistant coach Adijian. Team won one and lost two.
Misllaneous
Running event held in Chengdu
The 2007 Jinlaike Cup Long-distance Running Grand Prix raised its curtain in Chengdu, Sichuan Province on Saturday.
Organized by Chengdu Sports Bureau, the Municipal Government of Wenjiang District and domestic sports equipment brand Jinlaike, the event attracted over 5,000 runners from around the country, including former world champion Chen Longcan, the Seoul Olympics table tennis gold medalist.
The winners of men's and women's group were awarded the prize money of 3,000 yuan and the top 16 finishers will join the national final in Wuhan later this year.
The Grand Prix will be next staged in Guangzhou in June.
(China Daily 05/29/2007 page22)
